wouldn't our bodies feel most comfortable outside at that temperature, or if we were in water that was 98.6. But for most people- 70 is the perfect temp. Why is that?
2006-12-22 10:02:08 · 4 answers · asked by ericar 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
I used to wonder that myself. Here is a good explaination:
Several reasons. One is that sunshine warms the skin directly. Another is that the brain tells you to feel warm or cold not just based on the temperature difference between your body and the air, but based on special cells in the skin that signal the brain what the temperature is. The responses of these cells is not just based on skin temperature and air temperature, but in part on a prediction of your body's need to start behaviors that will help it get rid of heat building up inside. So when it's 33C outside, it is difficult for you to get rid of heat fast enough, even though the body is warmer than the air, so your brain tells you to feel hot, and to sweat, etc, etc.
2006-12-22 10:12:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
With the human body, there is actually no such thing as normal in regards to all humans collectively. Everyone is a little bit different. Some people may run a body temp of 97.7 for example, which would be normal for them. Others would run a body temp of say 99, also normal for them. Keep in mind that this temperature is an internal temperature. It's much cooler on the outside of the body. This is why if you should get into a Jacuzzi or spa, and the water temperature is 98, it feels very hot. Best of luck to you.
2006-12-22 10:13:34 · answer #2 · answered by cajunrescuemedic 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
matahari is mostly right, just a couple of things to add... warm-blooded animals warm the air around them, producing a layer of insulation... this air is trapped by hair, which we have very little of, but we do wear clothes... nevertheless, in the abesnce of wind, we are most comfortable in the 70's with clothes on, but it'd probabaly be higher if we were naked...
a very breezy mid-90s evening in the absence of sunlight would be very pleasant if we were naked...
also consider other animals with much more hair... they are outdoors in freezing temperatures because their hair does a better job of trapping that warm air produced by their bodies... 70's for us is really high in comparison...
2006-12-22 12:59:57 · answer #3 · answered by theba_boy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The body generates heat continuously. You need a temperature somewhat lower in order to pass your generated heat to the surrounding medium.
2006-12-22 16:43:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋