Why does the body increase temperature during an inflammatory response?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the reasons behind the body's increase in temperature during an inflammatory response. It seeks to understand the physiological mechanisms involved in this response, particularly how it affects blood flow, pathogen survival, immune cell activity, and metabolic processes.
Answer
Fever during inflammation is caused by immunological mediators that raise body temperature to boost immune defense.
The body increases temperature during an inflammatory response due to the release of immunological mediators, like cytokines, which trigger the thermoregulatory center of the hypothalamus. This increased temperature, or fever, enhances immune function by stimulating leukocytes to kill pathogens more effectively.
Answer for screen readers
The body increases temperature during an inflammatory response due to the release of immunological mediators, like cytokines, which trigger the thermoregulatory center of the hypothalamus. This increased temperature, or fever, enhances immune function by stimulating leukocytes to kill pathogens more effectively.
More Information
The elevated body temperature is a critical part of the body's defense mechanism. It not only slows down pathogen multiplication but also increases the efficiency of immune cells.
Tips
People often think fever itself is harmful, but it's an important part of the immune response.
Sources
- Fever and the thermal regulation of immunity - PubMed Central - pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 11.5: Inflammation and Fever - Biology LibreTexts - bio.libretexts.org
