Cold temperature, as a biological process, refers to the exposure of organisms, tissues, or cells to low environmental or experimental temperatures that elicit specific physiological and molecular responses. These responses include activation of thermosensory pathways, alterations in membrane fluidity, modulation of ion channel activity (e.g., TRP channels), and changes in metabolic rate and mitochondrial function. Cold exposure triggers stress-response signaling, such as upregulation of cold-shock proteins, reprogramming of gene expression, and adjustments in lipid composition to preserve membrane integrity. In endotherms, it also induces thermogenic mechanisms, including brown adipose tissue activation and non-shivering thermogenesis, to maintain core body temperature.
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