Why do you think high fever alter cellular functions?

Question

Biology question

Answer 1

Proteins are temperature sensitive, proteins denature and lose function and high temperatures. Certain proteins are more susceptible to denaturation than others.

Answer 2

Although the first answer is true, it is not likely that proteins of the human body will denature due to the temperature difference of a high fever. Even at 105 or 106 degrees F, we're only talking about a 6-7 increase in degrees; not enough to denature proteins.

The reason cellular function is altered is because enzymes have an optimal temperature range at which they function. Many enzymes of the body are very sensitive to even minor temperature changes; their structure's change just slightly, and that can have a dramatic effect on how they bind their substrate. It is thought that many enzymes involved in the immune response may function more efficiently at slightly higher temperatures. Too high, however, can have dangerous effects on the body, again due to the altered enzyme activity.

Edit: Microbe inhibition is also a theory behind why we have fevers, but there are a lot of microbes that actually do better at the warmer temperatures (eg; citrobacter), so its not quite as clear. It is clear, however, that some of our immune system enzymes work better at the higher temps.

Answer 3

I think the fever is to inhibit the microbes or foreign molecules that have infected you not your enzymes and other proteins

Answer 4

i would say maybe. depends on which cells and what their original function was.