Patient Care Technician (PCT) AAH Practice Exam

What physiological mechanism is responsible for regulation of body temperature?

1. Respiration

2. Metabolism

3. Circulation

4. Degeneration

The correct answer is: Metabolism

The regulation of body temperature primarily involves metabolism, as it encompasses all the chemical reactions within the body that produce energy. Metabolic processes, particularly those involved in generating heat, play a crucial role in maintaining core body temperature. For example, during exercise, metabolism increases, resulting in higher heat production, which can lead to a rise in body temperature. In addition to metabolism, other factors such as respiration and circulation also contribute to temperature regulation but are not the primary mechanisms. Respiration helps eliminate heat through exhalation and might slightly affect temperature, but it is not responsible for regulating it. Circulation helps distribute heat throughout the body, but without metabolic processes generating that heat, the circulatory system alone would not be effective in maintaining thermal balance. Degeneration does not relate to the regulation of body temperature; rather, it refers to the process of decline in physical or physiological function and is not a mechanism involved in homeostasis. Therefore, understanding the role of metabolism as the key driver behind temperature regulation highlights its importance in maintaining homeostasis within the body.