Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Body Temperature

Body Temperature

The body's temperature, measured in degrees, is determined by the balance between heat production and dissipation to the surrounding environment. For instance, if exercising vigorously, the body will produce more heat, causing sweat and dissipating that heat. Despite extreme environmental conditions and physical exertion, the human temperature-control system maintains a constant core body temperature (the temperature of deep tissues, which are the tissues located beneath the skin and other...

Body Temperature

Body Temperature

Body temperature reflects the equilibrium between heat production and heat loss within the body. Most heat is generated by metabolically active tissues, particularly the liver, heart, brain, kidneys, and endocrine organs. At rest, skeletal muscles contribute 20–30% of total heat production, but during vigorous exercise, this can increase up to 30–40 times.
The average body temperature is approximately 37°C (98.6°F) and typically ranges from 36.1–37.2°C (97–99°F), remaining relatively stable...

Non-equilibrium in the Cell

Non-equilibrium in the Cell

An important concept in studying metabolism and energy is that of chemical equilibrium. Most chemical reactions are reversible. They can proceed in both directions, releasing energy into their environment in one direction, and absorbing it from the environment in the other direction. The same is true for the chemical reactions involved in cell metabolism, such as the breaking down and building up of proteins into and from individual amino acids, respectively. Reactants within a closed system...

What is Homeostasis?

What is Homeostasis?

Maintaining homeostasis requires that the body continuously maintain its internal conditions. Each physiological condition has a particular set point, from body temperature to blood pressure to levels of certain nutrients. A set point is the physiological value around which the normal range fluctuates. A normal range is a restricted set of values that is optimally healthful and stable. For example, the set point for normal human body temperature is approximately 37°C (98.6°F). Physiological...

Thermoregulation

Thermoregulation

The human body has a sophisticated thermoregulation system that employs negative feedback mechanisms to maintain an optimal core temperature. When the core temperature drops, peripheral and central thermoreceptors send signals to the hypothalamus, activating the heat-promoting center. This center triggers several responses aimed at increasing the core temperature. First, vasoconstriction reduces the flow of warm blood from internal organs to the skin so that the heat is not lost from the skin,...

Thermosensation

Thermosensation

Peripheral thermosensation is the perception of external temperature. A change in temperature (on the surface of the skin and other tissues) is detected by a family of temperature-sensitive ion channels called Transient Receptor Potential, or TRP, receptors. These receptors are located on free nerve endings. Those detecting cold temperatures are closer to the surface of the skin than the nerve endings detecting warmth. These thermoTRP channels, while temperature selective, have relatively...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Nanoscale organization and dynamics of the siglec CD22 cooperate with the cytoskeleton in restraining BCR signalling.

The EMBO journal·2015

Same author

Tension-driven axon assembly: a possible mechanism.

Frontiers in cellular neuroscience·2015

Same author

The Normative Orientations of Climate Scientists.

Science and engineering ethics·2014

Same author

Limits of computational biology.

In silico biology·2014

Same author

Intrinsic activity in cells and the brain.

Molecular biology of the cell·2014

Same author

The propagation of allosteric states in large multiprotein complexes.

Journal of molecular biology·2013

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 26, 2026

Construction of a Low-cost Mobile Incubator for Field and Laboratory Use

Construction of a Low-cost Mobile Incubator for Field and Laboratory Use

Published on: March 19, 2019

The cell as a thermostat: how much does it know?

¹Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. db10009@cam.ac.uk

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology

|December 14, 2011

Summary

Bacterial thermotaxis, unlike human-designed thermostats, is an evolved, self-contained system. It uses genomic information for temperature sensing and response, offering a richer form of environmental

Area of Science:

Microbiology
Biophysics
Evolutionary Biology

Background:

Thermotaxis, the directed movement in response to temperature, is crucial for bacterial survival.
Bacterial thermotaxis shares functional elements with artificial thermostats, such as temperature sensing and response mechanisms.
However, the origins and complexity of these systems differ significantly.

Purpose of the Study:

To compare bacterial thermotaxis with a simple wall thermostat.
To elucidate the differences in their functional components and origins.
To highlight the evolutionary sophistication of bacterial temperature regulation.

Main Methods:

Comparative analysis of functional elements (sensing, output, control).
Examination of the origin of regulatory information (genome vs. human design).

More Related Videos

An Automated Method to Determine the Performance of Drosophila in Response to Temperature Changes in Space and Time

An Automated Method to Determine the Performance of Drosophila in Response to Temperature Changes in Space and Time

Published on: October 12, 2018

The Use of Chemostats in Microbial Systems Biology

The Use of Chemostats in Microbial Systems Biology

Published on: October 14, 2013

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 26, 2026

Construction of a Low-cost Mobile Incubator for Field and Laboratory Use

Construction of a Low-cost Mobile Incubator for Field and Laboratory Use

Published on: March 19, 2019

An Automated Method to Determine the Performance of Drosophila in Response to Temperature Changes in Space and Time

An Automated Method to Determine the Performance of Drosophila in Response to Temperature Changes in Space and Time

Published on: October 12, 2018

The Use of Chemostats in Microbial Systems Biology

The Use of Chemostats in Microbial Systems Biology

Published on: October 14, 2013

Conceptual comparison of information richness and adaptive capacity.

Main Results:

Both systems possess temperature-sensing, output, and control elements.
Thermostats are human-designed based on external comfort needs.
Bacterial systems are self-assembling, genomically encoded, and shaped by evolution.

Conclusions:

Bacterial thermotaxis is an evolved, self-contained system.
Genomic information provides a richer basis for bacterial temperature regulation than thermostat design.
Bacterial systems exhibit a level of complexity akin to 'knowledge' in higher organisms.