Final answer:
Endothermic reactions absorb heat, and are not responsible for maintaining the body's core temperature. The maintenance of body temperature, which is a steady 36.5-37.5 °C (97.7-99.5 °F), is achieved through a series of exothermic metabolic processes governed by thermoregulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is whether endothermic reactions maintain a resting body temperature of 98 degrees Fahrenheit. The correct answer is false. Endothermic reactions are chemical processes in which heat is absorbed from the surroundings, making them cooler. However, the maintenance of the body's core temperature is a biological process called thermoregulation, controlled by the hypothalamus. Indeed, the body generates heat through metabolic processes such as the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to maintain a steady core temperature, a process that is largely exothermic because it releases heat.