Ologies with Alie Ward Smologies #10: BODY HEAT with Shane Campbell-Staton
Feb 1, 2022
Join Shane Campbell-Staton, a Princeton evolutionary biologist and thermophysiologist, for a fascinating dive into body heat management. Discover how animals like antifreeze wood frogs and jumping desert lizards survive extreme temperatures. Learn about the intriguing variations in body temperature, why some people feel hotter or colder, and the unexpected role of fevers in fighting infections. Plus, uncover the reasons behind the size differences in heat retention and the mystique of thermoregulation in different climates.
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Wood Frog Antifreeze
- Wood frogs create internal antifreeze to survive freezing temperatures. This antifreeze is a combination of sugar and urea.
- It prevents ice crystal formation, protecting cells from damage during freezing.
Desert Lizard Heat Management
- Desert lizards have a unique behavioral adaptation to cope with extreme heat.
- They lift their feet alternately to minimize contact with the hot ground.
Human Body Temperature Variation
- Human body temperatures vary; 98.6 degrees is an average.
- Most people fluctuate between 97 and 99 degrees.