BRAINCAKEFevers
A fever is a rise in core body temperature above the normal level of about 37 °C, as a non-specific response to infection.
Body temperature is controlled by the hypothalamus in the brain, which acts like a thermostat with a set point. When phagocytes such as macrophages meet a pathogen, they release cytokines (for example interleukin-1) into the blood. Some pathogens release toxins with the same effect. These fever-causing chemicals, called pyrogens, act on the hypothalamus and raise the set point, for example to 39 °C.
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Key terms in this lesson
- cytokine
- A small signalling protein released by cells, especially of the immune system, that influences the behaviour of other cells.
More in Response to Infection
- Cell Recognition
- Non-specific Responses
- Phagocytosis
- Lymphocytes
- B cells
- T Cells
- The Humoral Response
- The Effector Stage
All 20 lessons in Response to Infection · All Edexcel A-level Biology topics