THERMOREGULATION IN HOMEOTHERMS - CENTRAL TEMPERATURE RESULTS FROM OPTIMIZATION OF ENERGY TRANSFERS

In contrast to the classical homeostatic concept of the constancy of t he central temperature, this study proposes an original model of therm oregulation based on the optimization of energy transfers. Exchange of the energy consumed or produced by the cell between the cell and the external medium has an associated energy cost. The different variables of the internal medium - flows, pressures, concentrations and also te mperatures, since heat is but a particular form of energy - are contin uously set at optimal values such that this cost is always minimal for the prevailing constraints with which the organism is faced. The prop osed thermoregulatory model accounts for the physiological spatial and temporal variability of the body's temperatures. The predictive curve s suggest a new approach to experimental studies concerned with therma l regulation and throw new light on their results.