Question

For some medical procedures, doctors cool the patient's body before beginning. Following the procedure, doctors warm the patient back to normal temperature.

Based on what you learned about reaction rates this unit, explain what purpose changing the temperature of the patient's body serves.

Answer 1

Changing the temperature of the patient's body affects the reaction rates of the chemical processes occurring in the body. Cooling the body slows down the metabolic processes, which can help to reduce the body's oxygen demand and protect the organs from damage during the medical procedure. Warming the body back to normal temperature after the procedure helps to restore the normal metabolic processes and ensure that the body is functioning properly. By controlling the temperature, doctors can help to optimize the reaction rates and minimize the risk of complications during and after the procedure.