2.4 Metabolism in Conformers and Regulators Flashcards
Metabolic rate
External abiotic factors affect organisms ability to maintain metabolic rate
pH, salinity, temperature
Conformer
Internal environment is dependant on external environment
Can’t change their metabolic rate
Conformer- advantage and disadvantage
Low metabolic costs save energy
Restricted niche as it is less adaptable to environmental change
Regulator
Use energy from their metabolism to maintain internal environments regardless of external environment
Regulator- advantage and disadvantage
Organism can live in many niches
High metabolic costs
Homeostasis
Organism maintains a constant internal environment regardless of external environment
Negative feedback
When something increase above a threshold, mechanisms are stimulated to decrease it
When something decreases, mechanisms are stimulated to increase it to its set point
Negative feedback stages
Factor affecting internal environment at set point
Increase in factor affecting internal environment
Receptors send message to effectors to correct it
Corrective response bringing about negative feedback control
Hypothalamus
Temperature monitor centre in the brain
Thermoregulation
Process of maintaining internal temperature
Optimal temperature allows:
Optimal enzyme activity to maintain metabolism
High diffusion rates to maintain metabolism
Thermoregulation stages
Receptors in the hypothalamus detect changes in body temperature
Messages from the hypothalamus are sent to effectors by electrical impulses through nerves
Effectors carry out responses to return body temperature to normal
