Which physiological outcome occurs when a marine mammal initiates peripheral vasodilation in frigid waters?

💡 Explanation

When marine mammals undergo peripheral vasodilation in cold water, countercurrent heat exchange becomes less efficient because warm blood bypasses the cooling capillaries, leading to heat loss. Therefore, disruption of heat exchange occurs, rather than oxygen reduction, steepened gradients, or lactate elevation, which involve different processes of metabolic adaptation.

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