...and where does the heat go when we die? How does it go away so quickly?
2007-12-26 07:24:42 · 4 answers · asked by Dan in Real Life 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
The standard metabolic reactions you have learned about (glycolysis, Kreb's cycle) transfer less than half the available bond energy to carriers that preserve it. The rest is lost as heat. In addition, if this is not enough to maintain normal body temperature, there are several mechanisms (e.g. shivering) that generate additional heat.
The bigger why is that the enzymatic reactions necessary for you to function work more efficiently (i.e. faster) at higher temperature, so maintaining a temperature higher than ambient is a selective advantage.
2007-12-26 08:23:57 · answer #1 · answered by Professor M 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Circulation of blood, muscle movement, and other general metabolic functions maintains this heat. This is why you shiver when your cold, your body is trying to generate more heat. When we die all function stop and the heat simply dissipates.
2007-12-26 15:35:34 · answer #2 · answered by Todd 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Chemical reactions in our bodies are a net exothermic, so they give off energy/heat. When we die, and our bodies' reactions cease, the heat is transferred to its surroundings like they do when we are alive (it's just we aren't replenishing the heat). like the air and other surfaces.
2007-12-26 15:50:32 · answer #3 · answered by darwinian 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
brain=battery, battery give off heat. Veins= wires, wires carry heat. Heart= heat pump, heat pump distribute. Brain stop, heat stop. heat rise and go in air.
2007-12-26 16:16:05 · answer #4 · answered by D2Hammers 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋