Thermogenesis

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Thermogenesis is 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. It is a process whereby substances such as free fatty acids (derived from triacylglycerols) remove purine (ADP,GDP...) inhibition of thermogenin (uncoupling protein-1) which causes an influx of H+ into the matrix of the mitochondria and bypasses the ATP synthase channel. This uncouples oxidative phosphorylation and the energy from the proton motive force is dissipated as heat rather than producing ATP from ADP.

The low demands of thermogenesis mean that they will draw, for the most part, on lipolysis as the method of energy production.

Two ways "Thermogenic methods" can be classified are:

  1. Exercise associated thermogenesis (EAT)
  2. Non-exercise associated thermogenesis (NEAT)

Based upon whether they are or are not initiated through locomotion and intentional movement of the muscles.

Although they are rare, some species of thermogenic plants do exist.