Why does body temperature remain at 37?

Answer 1

The human body runs on a large number of biochemical processes. Chemical reactions happen faster at higher temperatures, so the body needs to have a certain amount of heat in order to function in an optimal manner. However, it is dangerous to have too high a temperature because at some point, there are going to be unwanted chemical reactions, disrupting the useful ones. So there is a balance, which for human beings is about 37o C.
The enzymes and chemical reactions in the human body is optimal at 37 degrees Celsius. If it is too high, enzymes will denature and fail to perform its necessary function. If it is too low, the reaction rate is too slow.

Answer 2

Scientists have found the reason why our body temperature is 37°C. Apparently it’s the perfect balance, as it’s warm enough to prevent fungal infection but not so hot that we need to eat nonstop to maintain our metabolism.

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2011/01/why-the-human-body-temperature-is-37-degrees/

Answer 3

37 degrees Celsius is the Fahrenheit equivalent of 98.6. This is caused by the normal function of your body as it breaks down nutrients to create energy. Heat is a major product of energy formation and use.

Answer 4

It is very much important to keep your body temperature to normal value( i.e. 37 o C)

It is because most of the enzyme present in the body work in this temperature and these enzymes are very much important to keep all the body's biochemical procedure normal.

If there is slight variation in temperature the enzymes and proteins will not work and some disorder will takes place. and there is possibility of decrease in the immune system of the body.

so there are many chances of getting infection.

Answer 5

Our bodies are controlled by a huge number of chemical reactions. Many of these chemical reactions are controlled by special molecules called enzymes. Enzymes are catalysts that help biological processes to work effectively. Enzymes are quite fragile compared to other types of catalyst and they work best at a single temperature. This is called their optimum temperature. In humans, and many other animals like us, the optimum temperature for many of our enzymes is 37°C. So, if our bodies are to work properly, we need to keep the temperature of our body (and the enzymes in it) at 37°C. There are organisms on Earth that live in quite extreme conditions. For example, there are bacteria that live near volcanic vents at the bottom of the ocean. It is extremely hot and very high pressure. Their enzymes would not work well at 37°C - they need enzymes with a much higher optimum temperature. If conditions are too cold for the body to cope then it starts to suffer from stages of hypothermia. This begins with shivering and goose bumps and can end in death. If it is too cold, then the body cannot operate effectively and it stops working.

In extreme heat, the body can get heat stroke, or hyperthermia. This starts off as headaches and dizziness. After a while, if conditions stay the same, it can result in unconsciousness and coma. Sometimes an organism can raise its body temperature as a defence mechanism: this is a fever. If the body has been invaded by bacteria or viruses it will raise its temperature so that the immune system will work faster. The higher temperature will also cause the invaders' enzymes to work less effectively - so they will be easier to beat.

Answer 6

The human body runs on a large number of biochemical processes. Chemical reactions happen faster at higher temperatures, so the body needs to have a certain amount of heat in order to function in an optimal manner. However, it is dangerous to have too high a temperature because at some point, there are going to be unwanted chemical reactions, disrupting the useful ones. So there is a balance, which for human beings is about 37o C.
The enzymes and chemical reactions in the human body is optimal at 37 degrees Celsius. If it is too high, enzymes will denature and fail to perform its necessary function. If it is too low, the reaction rate is too slow.

Answer 7

If your body temperature remained at 37 degrees Fahrenheit, you would die of hypothermia.

Answer 8

Tiny chemical reactions inside your body can't happen if the temperature is too cold or too hot. Your lungs stop absorbing oxygen, your liver stops supplying your blood with energy and so on.