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What is Hibernation?
Hibernation is a state of inactivity characterized by low metabolic rates in the body. The main purpose of hibernation is to conserve energy during periods of low food availability. As a result, animals such as the Richardson's ground squirrel, must store enough energy prior to hibernation to last the winter. Once in hibernation, metabolic rates are reduced through lowered body temperatures, and reduced breathing and heart rate. Upon arousal from hibernation, metabolic rates and thermogenesis are elevated, leading to post-hibernation.
What is Thermogenesis?
Thermogenesis is the process of producing heat in an organism. It occurs through 2 different methods:
1. Shivering Thermogenesis: Occurs in muscles via the synthesis and breakdown of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). It is the primary form of heat production during exposure to cold environments in most non-hibernating animals.
2. Non-Shivering Thermogenesis: Occurs in brown adipose tissues (BAT) and is mainly regulated through the thyroid hormone and sympathetic nervous system (SNS) during hibernation.
What is Brown Adipose Tissue?
Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is a type of specialized adipose tissue found in humans, rodents and hibernating mammals. It is primarily used to dissipate chemical energy in the form of heat in response to cold or hyperglycemia (high blood glucose). BAT differs from white adipose tissue in that its possesses high mitochondrial content with a unique protein called uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1).
What is UCP1?
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