Final answer:
Hypothermia affects up to 94 degrees F (34.4 degrees C). It can lead to confusion, lethargy, loss of consciousness, and eventually death. Severe cold exposure can cause frostbite and tissue damage.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hypothermia is the clinical term for an abnormally low body temperature. It is defined as a dangerous decrease in core body temperature below 34.4 degrees C (94 degrees F). When the body temperature drops well below normal, certain proteins that facilitate chemical reactions lose their ability to function, and the metabolic reactions cannot proceed. This can lead to confusion, lethargy, loss of consciousness, and eventually death.
One response to cold is shivering, which generates heat. But when the body's temperature drops significantly, red blood cells lose their ability to carry oxygen properly, which can lead to oxygen deprivation in the brain and other organs. The body responds to cold by reducing blood circulation to the extremities to keep the core warm. Severe cold exposure can also cause frostbite, which can result in tissue damage and may require amputation.