CHAPTER OUTLINE
■ BODY TEMPERATURE
Gradients of Temperature
Diurnal Temperature
■ PHYSIOLOGIC RESPONSES TO HEAT
Circulatory Adjustments
Evaporative Heat Loss
Responses to Extremes of Heat
■ PHYSIOLOGIC RESPONSES TO COLD
Reduction of Heat Loss
Increase in Heat Production
■ HIBERNATION
Awakening from Hibernation
Brown Fat versus White Fat
■ HYPOTHERMIA AND HYPERTHERMIA
Hypothermia
Fever
Heat Stroke and Impaired Evaporation
The chemical reactions of the body - and therefore the body functions - depend on body temperature.
An elevation of temperature accelerates the reactions and a lowering of temperature depresses the reactions. To avoid fluctuations of function caused by temperature, mammals and birds have developed a means whereby body temperature is maintained at a relatively constant level regardless of the temperature of the surroundings. Mammals and birds are classified as homeotherm, or warm-blooded animals. Poikilotherm (cold-blooded) animals have a body temperature that varies with the temperature of the environment.
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