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The Importance of Controlling Body Temperature Many processes both physical and biological are affected by body temperature. Enzymes work best at their optimum temperature, and are denatured by wide deviations from this. Cell membranes become more fragile as temperature rises. Diffusion rates are increased by higher temperatures, and decreased by lower body temperatures. Liquids such as blood become more viscous (thicker) as the temperature of the body falls. Most animals control their body temperature. Some are ectotherms (outside heat), which means they can only control their body temperature by their behaviour. For example a lizard gets heat from basking in the sun but when it is too hot it will seek shade to cool down. Birds and mammals are endotherms (inside heat) they can maintain a constant body temperature by generating heat internally. Humans have several mechanisms which don't stop working to balance heat production against heat loss. This balance is...

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