Which term describes a dangerously low body temperature due to exposure to extreme cold?

Prepare for the Virginia Online Health and Physical Education 9 Exam. Use interactive quizzes and study guides to excel in your test. Equip yourself with necessary knowledge and practical skills to achieve success!

The term that describes a dangerously low body temperature due to exposure to extreme cold is hypothermia. This condition occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it, leading to a body temperature that drops below the normal range. When hypothermia sets in, the body's metabolic processes slow down, which can impair cognitive function and physical ability, and can eventually become life-threatening if not treated promptly.

Frostbite refers specifically to the freezing of body tissues, often affecting the extremities like fingers and toes, and is different from hypothermia, which is a systemic condition. Hyperthermia and heatstroke relate to dangerously high body temperatures resulting from excessive heat exposure, which contrasts with the low temperatures associated with hypothermia.

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