Temperature-susceptible describes something that is easily affected, changed, or damaged by variations in temperature. This characteristic highlights a sensitivity to thermal fluctuations, ranging from slight shifts to extreme changes. It implies a vulnerability where the object, substance, or organism's properties, function, or structure are significantly altered by warmer or colder conditions. This susceptibility can manifest in various ways, including changes in physical state (melting, freezing), chemical reactions (degradation, polymerization), biological activity (enzyme function, growth rates), and material properties (strength, elasticity). It emphasizes the importance of temperature control and understanding the thermal limitations for preserving, manipulating, or studying the subject at hand.
Temperature-susceptible meaning with examples
- Certain paints are temperature-susceptible, changing viscosity or drying improperly in extreme heat or cold. Art collectors and preservation specialists need to control the temperature during both the storage and transport of this type of artwork, as any slight change in the ambient environment has the ability to alter the overall painting. The molecular makeup can be altered and ruin it forever. Proper care is critical for preserving such works of art.
- Microorganisms used in fermentation processes are temperature-susceptible. The optimal temperature range for yeast is critical to the success of the fermentation process. If the temperature is too cold, the fermentation may not occur. Alternatively, if it is too hot, the microorganism may be killed or produce off-flavors. Brewers and winemakers meticulously monitor and maintain stable temperatures.
- The operation of certain electronic components, such as semiconductors, is highly temperature-susceptible. Their electrical conductivity and performance are affected by even minor changes in temperature. Temperature-sensitive semiconductors are crucial in a vast array of applications; therefore, they have to be cooled, otherwise the overall efficiency of the devices would be altered, and eventually render the devices useless.
- Specific chemical reactions are temperature-susceptible; their reaction rates and product yields are dramatically altered by temperature variations. Chemists must carefully regulate the temperature of a laboratory setting when performing these reactions, with an optimal temperature setting to maximize the reaction.