Final answer:
Death due to temperature extremes is an abnormality of temperature regulation because it disrupts enzymatic functions, essential for metabolism, by denaturing proteins.
Step-by-step explanation:
Death is considered an abnormality of temperature regulation because maintaining a stable body temperature is critical for the proper functioning of biological processes. The human body depends on enzymatic reactions that occur at an optimal temperature range, typically around 37°C (98.6°F).
When the body's temperature deviates significantly from this range, due to either extreme heat or cold, it can disrupt these reactions by denaturing proteins including enzymes, thus impacting metabolism. When exposed to excessive heat, the body can suffer from heat stroke, while extreme cold can result in hypothermia or frostbite.
Both conditions can be fatal as they inhibit the body's ability to produce ATP, the energy currency of cells, due to reduced oxygen availability. Particularly, older individuals or those with compromised homeostatic regulation can be more vulnerable to these temperature extremes due to aging and homeostatic imbalance.