General physiology: heat loss: practice question

A Physiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Physiology · General physiology: heat loss

Sample item

A labourer works in a furnace room where the air temperature is 40 degrees C, above his skin temperature of about 33 degrees C. Which mechanism remains the main route of heat loss?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Evaporation of sweat

Radiation, conduction and convection all depend on a temperature gradient from the skin to the environment. When the environment is warmer than the skin, these routes deliver heat to the body. Evaporation of sweat, which takes up latent heat, works regardless of the gradient but fails in very humid air.

Option by option

  • A. Radiation to the surroundings

    Radiation would add heat to the body because the surroundings are hotter than the skin.

  • B. Conduction to the air

    Conduction needs a cooler contacting medium; hot air would warm the skin.

  • C. Convection by air currents

    Convection would carry heat toward the body, not away from it.

  • D. Evaporation of sweat (correct)

    Evaporation is the only route of heat loss when ambient temperature exceeds skin temperature.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Physiology question

What is the answer to this Physiology question?

The best answer is D, Evaporation of sweat. Radiation, conduction and convection all depend on a temperature gradient from the skin to the environment.

Why is "Radiation to the surroundings" not the answer?

Radiation would add heat to the body because the surroundings are hotter than the skin.

Why is "Conduction to the air" not the answer?

Conduction needs a cooler contacting medium; hot air would warm the skin.

Why is "Convection by air currents" not the answer?

Convection would carry heat toward the body, not away from it.

What concept does this question test?

It tests General physiology: heat loss in Physiology. When the environment is warmer than the skin, these routes deliver heat to the body. Evaporation of sweat, which takes up latent heat, works regardless of the gradient but fails in very humid air.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study General physiology: heat loss?

For each system, sketch the key graph (pressure–volume loop, oxygen dissociation curve, nephron handling) and explain it aloud. Then use the flashcards and the other Physiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.