Thermal heating of ultrasound increases which rate?

• A. Metabolic
• B. Hydraulic
• C. Thermal
• D. Electrical

Answer: (A)

Thermal heating raises tissue temperature, which speeds up chemical reactions in cells by increasing enzyme activity and molecular motion. This makes cellular metabolism work harder and faster, so the metabolic rate increases. In the ultrasound context, the thermal effect drives more rapid metabolism to support healing, up to safe temperature limits. Hydraulic or electrical rates aren’t the standard measures affected in the same way by heating, and “thermal rate” isn’t a typical physiological term used here.