non-shivering thermogenesis

(noun)

The process of heat production in organisms. Non-shivering thermogenesis usually occurs in brown adipose tissue (brown fat) that is present in human infants and hibernating mammals.

Related Terms

Examples of non-shivering thermogenesis in the following topics:

  • Adjustments of the Infant at Birth

    • They are naked, wet, and have a large surface area to mass ratio, with variable amounts of insulation, limited metabolic reserves, and a decreased ability to shiver.
    • Physiologic mechanisms for preserving core temperature include vasoconstriction (a decrease of blood flow to the skin), maintaining the fetal position (a decrease of the surface area exposed to the environment), jittery large muscle activity (to generate muscular heat), and non-shivering thermogenesis.
    • Non-shivering thermogenesis occurs in brown fat.