Although, the external temperature enveloping individuals fluctuates significantly, it is the body's core temperature that has to be upheld at an invariable 37°C. Extremely high temperatures can render the enzymes to become destroyed by losing their form (become denatured) and failing to catalyses metabolic reactions, which yields to a slowdown in the speed of reactions. Devoid of enzymes activity, much of critical bodily functions would fail to take place at the required level, which leads to the death of the cells.
Task 2 " Jamel took part in the New York marathon which was held in November 2011. The average temperature was 10°C. There were 45,000 participants and Jamel had a long wait before he could actually start running.
Explain how Jamel was able to maintain a core temperature of 37°C before, during and after the race.
How the body gained and lost heat.
The outside temperature mainly differs significantly as the day progresses; however, the body temperature ought to be sustained at the core temperature of 37°C. This is well demonstrated in Jamel's case given must be sustained at a constant 37°C with minimal variations while the outside environment is bound to change (Sircar 2008, 697). Given that the temperature in New York City stood at 10°C and there is a possibility that the temperature fluctuated prior the race, during the race, and after the race, Jamel's body must adapt to the changing external environment. This is achieved via a number of processes through which the body is subjected to, namely: vasodilation, sweating, shivering, and vasoconstriction (Sircar 2008, 697). During the race in which Jamel's body temperature rises owing to the rise in metabolism, the sweat glands located within the skin are activated to secrete/release sweat on to the surface of the skin. The action of evaporation of sweat from Jamel's body's surface yields to rapid cooling of the body, which, in turn, yields a drop in body temperature.
