The physiological effect in unacclimatised person suddenly exposed to cold is :
First, I need to identify the core concept. The question is about the body's immediate response to cold. The key physiological responses include vasoconstriction, shivering, and increased metabolic rate. The main goal is to preserve core body temperature by reducing heat loss and generating heat.
The correct answer should be the option that describes vasoconstriction in the skin and extremities. This is because the body's first response to cold is to constrict blood vessels in the skin to minimize heat loss through radiation. Shivering comes later as a way to generate heat through muscle activity, but the immediate response is vasoconstriction.
Now, for the incorrect options. Let's assume the options are typical distractors. For example, if an option mentions sweating, that's incorrect because sweating is a response to heat, not cold. Another wrong option might be vasodilation, which would increase heat loss and is the opposite of what happens. Another could be decreased heart rate, but actually, heart rate might increase slightly due to increased sympathetic activity. The last incorrect option might be increased heat loss, which is the opposite of the body's goal in cold exposure.
The clinical pearl here is to remember that vasoconstriction is the immediate response, followed by shivering. This is crucial for exams and understanding hypothermia management. Also, acclimatization changes these responses over time, but the question specifies an unacclimatised person.
Putting it all together, the correct answer is the one that states vasoconstriction in skin and extremities. The explanation should clearly differentiate from other options, ensuring students understand the physiological priorities in cold environments.
**Core Concept**
Exposure to cold triggers thermoregulatory mechanisms to preserve core temperature. The initial response in unacclimatised individuals involves vasoconstriction in peripheral tissues to reduce heat loss, followed by shivering to generate heat via skeletal muscle activity.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The body prioritizes maintaining core temperature by minimizing heat loss. **Vasoconstriction in skin and extremities** reduces blood flow to these areas, decreasing heat dissipation to the environment. This is mediated by the sympathetic nervous system, which activates Ξ±1-adrenergic receptors on vascular smooth muscle, causing contraction and narrowing of cutaneous vessels. Shivering, a later response, generates heat through rapid muscle contractions but is not the immediate effect.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** *Vasodilation of skin blood vessels* is incorrect because it increases heat loss, contradicting the bodyβs goal in cold exposure.
**Option B:** *Increased sweating* is incorrect; sweating is a thermoregulatory response to heat, not cold.
**Option D:** *Decreased metabolic rate* is incorrect; cold exposure typically increases metabolic rate (via thyroxine release and brown fat activation) to generate heat.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Remember the sequence: **vasoconstriction first, shivering later**. Confusion with heat stress (vasodilation, sweating) is a common exam trap. Accl