Ask A Scientist©
Zoology Archive
Temperature and Metabolism
name Don
status student
age 30s
Question - My question has to deal with body temperature and fat
burning. The human body works to maintain a homeostatic temperature,
usually about 98.6 degrees F. Fuel is burned in the body to generate
heat through metabolism to sustain this. One of those sources of fuel is
fat stored in our body. Can there be any significant fat loss in the
body if the body temperature is lowered by external conditions, thus
forcing the increase in metabolism? I see that many swimmers seem to be
very low in body fat percentage. They may spend much time devoted to
swimming in water with a temperature that is quite a bit lower than that
of the human body. I understand that there are other factors involved in
swimming that would cause fat burning besides just temperature. If a
person were to drink cold water throughout the day during sedentary
periods and assuming this cold water was able to decrease body
temperature, would he or she find any significant results in fat burning?
I'm curious as to your take on this subject.
Don,
Well, you'd have to drink a darn lot of water to make a dent. 1 Calorie =
energy to raise 1 kg of water 1 degree celsius. Let's say you drink ice
water = 0 C, raised to your body temperature, = 35 C or so. If you drink a
gallon a day, 4 liters, that's only 140 Calories. That's a lot of
water. Plus you put stress on your body drinking that much, as it has to
fight to keep from losing ions. Plus you'll be going to the bathroom all
the time. Maybe if you combine that with having only one bathroom on the
top story of a 10 story building with no elevator, you'd see a big effect.
The physique of swimmers has far more to do with their exertion levels than
with water temperature, otherwise you'd expect them to be leaner than
runners or rowers or cyclists etc, which just isn't the case. Swimmers may
have a slight advantage in that even in hot weather they won't suffer much
thermal discomfort at high levels of exertion, but beyond that I don't see
water heat conduction playing a large part.
Donald Yee Ph.D. San Francisco Estuary Institute
180 Richmond Field Station, 1325 South 46th St. Richmond, CA 94804
=======================================================
I don't think cold water can decrease body temperature. By the time it
reaches the body it has been through the entire digestive system and is
warmed to body temperature. Even in swimmers in cool water the body
temperature shouldn't drop significantly. The capillaries in the skin will
vasocontrict to keep the core of the body the same temperature. While its
true that to KEEP that temperature at 98.6 the body probably will burn more
calories, just as your furnace does in the winter, the only way that fat will
be burned is if the carbohydrate stores are depleted first. Glucose is the
body's preferred energy source and it will use that until it runs out. Then
it starts converting other food sources INTO glucose. Fat can be turned into
glucose a little at a time until there is no need for it anymore.
Van Hoeck
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
kinds of researches
Kinds of researches
The main aim of research is to contribute new knowledge such as new facts, generalizations, techniques, equipment, procedures, new substances or solutions to certain problems. There are two types of research that one may undertake:
a) Pure research is conducted with no immediate objective in mind although the results may lead to solutions of problems in other fields, which at that time has an immediate purpose. Problems in pure science require more time and better qualities of the mind. Some examples are researches on the structure of the nucleus, mass-energy relationship, recombinant DNA, structure of the atom, etc.
b) Applied research is conducted with an immediate purpose in mind. The results will have immediate applications. It requires less time and concentrates on a scientific problem. Some examples are developing a new packaging material; studying the effect of temperature on a certain process, developing a biodegradable plastic, etc.
Because of the limitations of time and available resources and the fact that. the level of your knowledge and skills is not yet comparable to those of an experienced scientist, it is advisable for you to work on very simple problems first. At the beginning, your teacher will assign you to investigate a problem in a highly structured manner. Try to follow these and learn from the experience. You will then be given a semi-structured problem, wherein you are expected to make your own experimental design, execute the study, and make your final report. At the end, given a problem situation, you are expected to be able to pose your own research question(s), propose hypothesis(es), design and execute your experiments and make your final report.
The main aim of research is to contribute new knowledge such as new facts, generalizations, techniques, equipment, procedures, new substances or solutions to certain problems. There are two types of research that one may undertake:
a) Pure research is conducted with no immediate objective in mind although the results may lead to solutions of problems in other fields, which at that time has an immediate purpose. Problems in pure science require more time and better qualities of the mind. Some examples are researches on the structure of the nucleus, mass-energy relationship, recombinant DNA, structure of the atom, etc.
b) Applied research is conducted with an immediate purpose in mind. The results will have immediate applications. It requires less time and concentrates on a scientific problem. Some examples are developing a new packaging material; studying the effect of temperature on a certain process, developing a biodegradable plastic, etc.
Because of the limitations of time and available resources and the fact that. the level of your knowledge and skills is not yet comparable to those of an experienced scientist, it is advisable for you to work on very simple problems first. At the beginning, your teacher will assign you to investigate a problem in a highly structured manner. Try to follow these and learn from the experience. You will then be given a semi-structured problem, wherein you are expected to make your own experimental design, execute the study, and make your final report. At the end, given a problem situation, you are expected to be able to pose your own research question(s), propose hypothesis(es), design and execute your experiments and make your final report.
Science investigatory project
Outline of a scientific investigation
Research cannot be planned in advance with great precision such as in mass production of a tool. True scientists do not follow a prescribed set of laboratory procedures, since it is an exploration to the unknown. General principles, techniques, and guides, however, can be given in an attempt to minimize the mistakes and commit fewer wrong decisions.
The following basic steps in conducting a research project serve only as guide. This basic outline may be modified according to the innate wisdom of the experimenter. The outline covers the major phases of the scientific method.
1. Select your topic
In choosing the topic, consider the following:
a. Degree of difficulty - Examine this carefully in relation to your skills, knowledge, and experience level.
b. Time available - Estimate the time you need for planning, literature research, setting up the project, executing it, assembling results, and drawing conclusions. Allow for a margin of safety for possible errors.
c. Necessary resources and expense - These include manpower, equipment, and materials needed. List them down and find out if these are all available.
d. Collateral readings and availability of advice - This may be necessary on critical points in the experiments. You may consult knowledgeable people in your community, including your own parents if you are working on a local problem.
2. Know your subject
§ Know the background of the problem, how it arose, why it is important and what will be done with the results. The best source of information is the library. Nowadays, a virtual library exists in the INTERNET. You can also ask the persons who have done related work on that problem and are recognized authorities on the subject.
§ At this stage, establish the theoretical background of the problem. Know what has been done before by other investigators in the same area and what new findings you can contribute.
3. Define/identify your problem
§ State your problem with care, defining your objectives and expressing its limits. A careful statement of the problem will minimize waste and points the way to its solutions. What are the questions you are trying to answer in your investigation?
4. Plan your project
§ This step covers hypothesis building and experimental design. What are your hypotheses or what are your expected outcomes of the investigation, based on the theoretical background that you have established? Start with a well-thought-out hypothesis.
§ Decide on the place, time, equipment, materials, and procedures you will use. Try to foresee problems that may occur and be ready with possible solutions.
§ Make your experiments as quantitative as possible. Make a judgment on the accuracy that you want and design your experiments accordingly.
5. Keep a complete notebook
§ Meticulously record all your observations, data, procedures, setups, and questions. Even mistakes or failed experiments are very important. Negative results do not mean failed experiments. They have as much value as positive results. Often, what are considered as failures can lead to experiments of considerable importance.
§ Record your data using proper number of significant figures depending on the accuracy of the measuring instrument or device that you used.
6. Start your experiments.
§ All scientific studies must be systematic. The value of each experiment must be carefully reviewed. Conditions for each experiment must be controlled to get reproducible results. Experiments without controls, generally is not a scientific study.
§ Do numerical calculations as you collect data. Apply the rules on significant figures in your calculations.
7. End your experiments.
§ When do you end an experiment? Sometimes this can be a ticklish question. In the course of your work, you may come up with questions other than the one you have originally asked. A usual stopping point is when you realize you have discovered something significant, not necessarily what you are seeking.
§ Analyze and evaluate your results periodically. Recognize errors which may have been committed. The teacher adviser can advise when to stop.
8. Write your report
§ The project ends with a report and/or an exhibit. There are accepted formats in reporting a science investigation, depending on the purpose of the report.
§ The discussion of results should cover not only what you have observed or the data collected, but the most important part is your careful analysis of the data gathered and observations made. Careful analysis requires prior organization of data collected into tables and/or graphs. Your analysis will lead you to explanations, an understanding of cause and effect. From the analysis and explanations, draw your generalizations and conclusions within the limitations of the experiments done.
9. Prepare an exhibit (for science fair).
This is optional. An exhibit is a visual display that carefully presents the scientific material. There are certain guidelines in representing the exhibit.
Research cannot be planned in advance with great precision such as in mass production of a tool. True scientists do not follow a prescribed set of laboratory procedures, since it is an exploration to the unknown. General principles, techniques, and guides, however, can be given in an attempt to minimize the mistakes and commit fewer wrong decisions.
The following basic steps in conducting a research project serve only as guide. This basic outline may be modified according to the innate wisdom of the experimenter. The outline covers the major phases of the scientific method.
1. Select your topic
In choosing the topic, consider the following:
a. Degree of difficulty - Examine this carefully in relation to your skills, knowledge, and experience level.
b. Time available - Estimate the time you need for planning, literature research, setting up the project, executing it, assembling results, and drawing conclusions. Allow for a margin of safety for possible errors.
c. Necessary resources and expense - These include manpower, equipment, and materials needed. List them down and find out if these are all available.
d. Collateral readings and availability of advice - This may be necessary on critical points in the experiments. You may consult knowledgeable people in your community, including your own parents if you are working on a local problem.
2. Know your subject
§ Know the background of the problem, how it arose, why it is important and what will be done with the results. The best source of information is the library. Nowadays, a virtual library exists in the INTERNET. You can also ask the persons who have done related work on that problem and are recognized authorities on the subject.
§ At this stage, establish the theoretical background of the problem. Know what has been done before by other investigators in the same area and what new findings you can contribute.
3. Define/identify your problem
§ State your problem with care, defining your objectives and expressing its limits. A careful statement of the problem will minimize waste and points the way to its solutions. What are the questions you are trying to answer in your investigation?
4. Plan your project
§ This step covers hypothesis building and experimental design. What are your hypotheses or what are your expected outcomes of the investigation, based on the theoretical background that you have established? Start with a well-thought-out hypothesis.
§ Decide on the place, time, equipment, materials, and procedures you will use. Try to foresee problems that may occur and be ready with possible solutions.
§ Make your experiments as quantitative as possible. Make a judgment on the accuracy that you want and design your experiments accordingly.
5. Keep a complete notebook
§ Meticulously record all your observations, data, procedures, setups, and questions. Even mistakes or failed experiments are very important. Negative results do not mean failed experiments. They have as much value as positive results. Often, what are considered as failures can lead to experiments of considerable importance.
§ Record your data using proper number of significant figures depending on the accuracy of the measuring instrument or device that you used.
6. Start your experiments.
§ All scientific studies must be systematic. The value of each experiment must be carefully reviewed. Conditions for each experiment must be controlled to get reproducible results. Experiments without controls, generally is not a scientific study.
§ Do numerical calculations as you collect data. Apply the rules on significant figures in your calculations.
7. End your experiments.
§ When do you end an experiment? Sometimes this can be a ticklish question. In the course of your work, you may come up with questions other than the one you have originally asked. A usual stopping point is when you realize you have discovered something significant, not necessarily what you are seeking.
§ Analyze and evaluate your results periodically. Recognize errors which may have been committed. The teacher adviser can advise when to stop.
8. Write your report
§ The project ends with a report and/or an exhibit. There are accepted formats in reporting a science investigation, depending on the purpose of the report.
§ The discussion of results should cover not only what you have observed or the data collected, but the most important part is your careful analysis of the data gathered and observations made. Careful analysis requires prior organization of data collected into tables and/or graphs. Your analysis will lead you to explanations, an understanding of cause and effect. From the analysis and explanations, draw your generalizations and conclusions within the limitations of the experiments done.
9. Prepare an exhibit (for science fair).
This is optional. An exhibit is a visual display that carefully presents the scientific material. There are certain guidelines in representing the exhibit.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
