The human body may not have an electric thermostat, but it certainly has a physiology temperature control center. Thermoregulation, or the process by which animals maintain a normal body temperature, is crucial for keeping enzymes and proteins properly functioning (Reece, 2014). In fact, changes in the mammalian nervous system due to temperature fluctuations can cause “loss of consciousness and the inability to coordinate and execute motor activities,” so maintaining a stable temperature is key for achieving homeostasis (Morrison, 2011). The process of temperature regulation involves a complex negative feedback mechanism; the brain, more specifically, the preoptic area and anterior hypothalamus, contain the control system for these processes
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Mammals and birds develop “an elevated body temperature,” or fever, in response to certain viral and bacterial infections (Reece, 2014). Fever also increases the standard range for the biological thermostat because the hypothalamus shifts the normal body temperature set point upward (Mayo Clinic, 2014). Natural fluctuations occur in human body temperatures based on factors such as the time of day, but the normal body temperature is approximately 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (Nalin, 2017). Increasing the temperature in the hypothalamus of an infected individual decreases the fever in other parts of the body (Reece, 2014). Thus, fever may cause an individual to feel chilled or shiver which produces more body heat, and, eventually, body temperature will level (Mayo Clinic, 2014). The increased set point causes an individual to feel cold because their body’s new set point is higher than their current temperature. In turn, the body works to produce heat in order to warm itself, so shivering and chills may occur (Mayo Clinic, 2014). Rapid muscle relaxation and contraction causes chills and is a way of creating heat when the body is cold; therefore, chills often predict fevers, when the body’s core temperature increases (Nalin, 2017). Various causes of fever include bacterial and viral infections, a malignant tumor, heat exhaustion, severe sunburn, specific inflammatory conditions, and some
Mammals and birds develop “an elevated body temperature,” or fever, in response to certain viral and bacterial infections (Reece, 2014). Fever also increases the standard range for the biological thermostat because the hypothalamus shifts the normal body temperature set point upward (Mayo Clinic, 2014). Natural fluctuations occur in human body temperatures based on factors such as the time of day, but the normal body temperature is approximately 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (Nalin, 2017). Increasing the temperature in the hypothalamus of an infected individual decreases the fever in other parts of the body (Reece, 2014). Thus, fever may cause an individual to feel chilled or shiver which produces more body heat, and, eventually, body temperature will level (Mayo Clinic, 2014). The increased set point causes an individual to feel cold because their body’s new set point is higher than their current temperature. In turn, the body works to produce heat in order to warm itself, so shivering and chills may occur (Mayo Clinic, 2014). Rapid muscle relaxation and contraction causes chills and is a way of creating heat when the body is cold; therefore, chills often predict fevers, when the body’s core temperature increases (Nalin, 2017). Various causes of fever include bacterial and viral infections, a malignant tumor, heat exhaustion, severe sunburn, specific inflammatory conditions, and some