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Mark has a BMR of 2,200 calories. He is not feeling well, so he checked his temperature. Mark has a fever of 99.6ºF. His BMR now would be 2200 calories.

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Final answer:

Mark's basal metabolic rate (BMR) is influenced by his fever, as an increase in body temperature leads to a higher BMR. A fever resulting in a 1°C rise in temperature will increase his BMR by approximately 14-15%. Therefore, Mark's BMR would be higher than the initial 2,200 calories due to his fever.

Step-by-step explanation:

The basal metabolic rate (BMR) of an individual is a measurement of the energy required to maintain basic bodily functions at rest. Mark's BMR is initially given as 2,200 calories. The BMR can be influenced by various factors including body temperature, body mass, surface area, and health status.

Effect of Fever on BMR

When a person has a fever, their internal body temperature increases. For every 0.5°C rise in body temperature, there is an approximate 7% increase in BMR because chemical reactions within the body occur more rapidly at higher temperatures. Consequently, if Mark's body temperature rises by 1°C due to a fever, his BMR would increase by approximately 14-15%. However, since Mark's temperature is 99.6°F (mild fever), we would need to convert this to Celsius and calculate the actual increase in his BMR based on the temperature difference from his normal body temperature.

To maintain a constant body temperature, the body expends energy; most of the daily energy requirement is used to support basic physiological processes. An increase in body temperature due to fever leads to a higher metabolic rate.

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