Energy metabolism after injury.

In a thermoneutral environment (300C) 02 con- sumption is minimal and the heat produced by this basal metabolism is sufficient to maintain the 7C gradient between the body core and the ex- terior. The lower limit of the thermoneutral range is called the 'critical temperature' and as the en- vironmental temperature is lowered below this, 02 consumption increases linearly and more heat is produced by both shivering and non-shiveringthermogenesis. The latter mechanism is probably involved first. The main centre for the control of these events is in the hypothalamus which is kept copyright.