Question

In human, increased heat production is achieved most rapidly by increasing the activity of the
A. Sweat gland
B. liver
C. Skeletal muscles
D. Brain

Answer 1

Hint: Heat production is achieved by consuming food, which is a necessary process to maintain the body temperature, while the consumption of food heat is liberated via oxidation process. The optimum body temperature is necessary to carry out all enzyme specific metabolic activity.

Complete answer:
Not only the digestion of food releases energy to maintain body temperature but also rapid movement of skeletal muscles, intensive muscular activity or exercise like running, sports activity also increase the heat production, which raises the body temperature. During muscular exercise metabolism is increased by 5 to 15 times the resting rate to provide energy. 70 to 100 percent of metabolism is released as heat to maintain the heat in the body. Thermo-regulators are present in the body to maintain the body temperature which also depends on the acclimatization state of the individual such as aerobic fitness, hydration level. Skeletal muscles store their own energy and do not share with other organs to achieve the instant movement during fight and flight response.

Hence, the correct answer is option (C).

Additional information:
> Option A:
Sweat glands are glands which are present on the skin and main body temperature by releasing sweat out of the body and other salts content they act as thermo-regulators and excretory glands.

> Option B:
Liver is the largest gland of the body, which secretes bile juice that utilizes the digestion of fats and lipids. This organ not only helps in digestion of food, but also stores the glucose in the form of glycogen and performs a detoxification process and removes worn out RBC and macrophages.

> Option D:
Brain is the master and control system of the body that releases impulses and hormones to maintain body homeostasis. The brain hypothalamus is the part that controls thermoregulation. During increase and decrease in the temperature of the body, it sends the signal to muscles, glands and organs, to release energy to maintain body heat.

Note: The maintenance of body temperature is a very complex process and very crucial to maintain proper metabolic activity because all metabolic activity is carried by enzymes which are sensitive to temperature and pH, so little change in temperature or pH may alter the metabolic activity and may pose threat to life.