True or false: Newborns are unable to shiver as a means of increasing heat production; they increase their activity level instead.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Depends on the environment
• D. Only in extreme temperatures

Answer: (A)

Newborns indeed cannot shiver as a response to cold; instead, they utilize other mechanisms to generate heat. One of the primary methods they employ is increasing their activity level. When newborns are cold, they respond by becoming more active, which can help generate additional body heat. This mechanism is crucial because shivering, a primary heat production method in older children and adults, requires more developed muscle control and coordination than what newborns possess.

In terms of thermoregulation, newborns rely heavily on non-shivering thermogenesis as well, which involves the oxidation of brown fat to produce heat. However, this question focuses specifically on heat production in relation to the inability to shiver. By increasing their activity level, newborns are enhancing their metabolic rate, which contributes to keeping their body temperature stable.

Therefore, the statement that newborns are unable to shiver and instead increase their activity level is accurate, making the answer true.