THERMOREGULATION, METABOLISM AND OXYGENATION

Thermoregulation, Metabolism and Oxygenation



Thermoregulation, Metabolism and Oxygenation

Introduction

Most organisms depend upon maintaining a consistent temperature, regardless of the external temperature surrounding them. This process can be accomplished either by changing behavior to become cooler or warmer and keep temperature levels consistent, or through internal processes of the organism. Sometimes both behavior and internal processes of a complex organism work in concert to maintain temperature. The ability to maintain temperature is called thermoregulation (Murray, 1995).

Analysis

In humans, our ability to maintain body temperature is mostly internally regulated. If we get too hot, our body starts to produce sweat, a natural cooling device. Shivering is actually a beneficial process when our bodies get too cold, because it works to heat the body. Humans and many other mammals also change their behavior in order to keep body temperature consistent. This is especially the case in extreme hot or cold temperatures. For example, a person swimming in a cold pool may start shivering. He then uses behavioral thermoregulation by getting out of the pool, wrapping himself in a towel and sitting in the sun. This hastens the process of getting warm, something that would not be so easily achieved by remaining in the pool (Tortora, 1996).

Metabolism is the countless series of chemical reactions that take place continuously within an organism, allowing it to live. It includes all physical and chemical processes within the body such as digestion, food absorption, waste elimination, respiration, circulation, and temperature control. In simple terms, your metabolism is the rate at which your body operates to carry out all its bodily functions, like the production of heat, RNA, hair, bones, etc. and the breaking down of food and storage fat. Metabolism can be grouped into two main processes called anabolism (constructive metabolism) and catabolism (destructive metabolism). Anabolism is the building of complex molecules from smaller ones and is needed for the development and maintenance of new cells, while catabolism on the other hand, refers to the production of energy required for all external and internal activity. It is also responsible for the regulation of body temperature and the breaking down of complex substances into smaller and simpler ones for recycling or release. Both of these processes occur simultaneously since all reactions are powered from destructive metabolism. The "fuel" that provides the energy needed for all metabolic reactions is found in food (Tortora, 1996). Currently, sporting nutrition ...