Measurement

Question 1

What is heat?

Answer 1

Heat is a form of energy, measured in joules, that is determined by the kinetic energy of that substance.

Question 2

What is temperature?

Answer 2

Temperature is the thermal state of a substance which determines the magnitude and direction of heat transfer. . It is measured in kelvin.

Question 3

How is heat lost from the body.

Answer 3

There are 4 main ways that heat is lost from the body
Radiation ~ 40% - infrared radiation emitted from the body
Evaporation ~ 30% - loss of heat through vapourising of liquid (sweat)
Convection ~ 20% - heat transfer to a gas/liquid via conduction that is then removed away from the body
Conduction ~ 10% - direct transfer of heat from 2 substances that are touching

Heat is also lost via the respiratory system through exhalation

Question 4

What is the thermoneutral zone?

Answer 4

It is the ambient temperature range where basal heat production is balanced by heat loss.
adults = 27-31 degrees C
neonates = 31-34 degrees C

Question 5

What is the interthreshold range?

Answer 5

it is the range of core body temperatures over which there is no autonomic control of temperature.
37 degrees C +/- 0.2 degrees.