2.4 metabolism in conformers and regulators Flashcards
What changes an organisms metabolic rate
Abiotic factors
Factors affecting metabolic rate
pH, salinity and temperature
Conformers definition
organisms which cannot alter their metabolic rate to maintain internal environment, meaning internal environment is dependant on external abiotic factors.
Regulators definition
Organisms which can alter their normal metabolic rate to maintain a constant internal environment and adapt to their external environment.
Metabolic cost
The energy that organism uses in relation to maintaining a constant internal environment, and adapting to external environment.
Conformers features
They are dependant on external abiotic factors
Live in stable conditions
Low metabolic cost
Use behavioural responses to maintain internal environment
Narrow range of ecological niches
Less adaptable to environment
Regulators features
Metabolic rate can be altered and maintained despite external abiotic factors
Metabolism controls internal environment
Metabolic cost is high
Uses of physiological responses
Larger range of ecological niches
More adaptable to changing environment
Metabolic rate definition
The quantity of energy consumed by an organism over time.
Metabolic rate of conformers
Cannot alter metabolic rate to maintain internal environment
Metabolic rate of regulators
Are able to alter their normal metabolic rate, to maintain a constant internal environment.
Conformers internal environment
Is dependant on external environment/ abiotic factors
Regulators internal environment
Isn’t dependant on external environment since metabolism controls internal environment
Conformers responses
Behavioural
Regulators responses
Physiological
Physiological metabolic change
Where a regulators metabolism naturally allows it to maintain a constant internal environment
Conformers metabolic cost
Low due to not being able to alter metabolic rate
Regulators metabolic cost
High due to altering metabolic rate requiring high quantities of energy.
Conformers ecological niche
Narrow range of niches due to not not being able to adapt to abiotic factors using metabolic rate.
Regulators ecological niches
High variety of niches due to being able to adapt to a variety of abiotic factors using metabolic rate.
Conformers adaptability
Low due to no control over metabolic rate
Regulators adaptability
High due to metabolic rate being altered to survive changes in abiotic factors.
Homeostasis definition
The physiological process of maintain a constant internal environment, through negative feedback control.
Negative feedback control definition
When a the bodies internal environment deviates from a set point/level and the body responds to return the internal environment to its original set point/level.
Examples of homeostasis
Thermoregulation