What would likely occur if the body temperature is excessively high?

When the body temperature rises excessively, increased respiratory effort is a common physiological response. This happens because the body attempts to regulate its temperature through various mechanisms, including hyperventilation. The increase in respiratory rate helps to dissipate heat through the evaporation of water from the respiratory passages and lungs.

Hyperthermia can lead to a state where oxygen demands increase as the body works harder to cool itself. Consequently, the respiratory system responds by increasing the rate and depth of breathing to ensure adequate oxygen supply to the tissues and to help in heat loss.

This response is essential, especially when dealing with conditions such as fever or heat stroke, where the body's normal thermoregulatory mechanisms are overwhelmed. Other bodily responses to high temperatures may include alterations in heart rate and blood pressure, but the immediate effect on respiration is significant, highlighting why increased respiratory effort is the correct choice in this context.