animals in their climatic environment

Question 1

endotherm

Answer 1

an animal that is dependent on or capable of the internal generation of heat.

Question 2

ectotherm

Answer 2

an animal that is dependent on external sources of body heat.

Question 3

homeotherm

Answer 3

maintain a stable heat balance through thermoregulation
heat gain = heat loss

Question 4

poikilotherm

Answer 4

internal temperature is dependent on its surroundings

Question 5

hypothermia

Answer 5

when core body temperature decreases significantly below normal range

Question 6

hyperthermia

Answer 6

when core body temperature increases significantly above normal range

Question 7

list processes by which heat is transferred between animals and their surroundings and explanation

Answer 7

radiation - black coats radiate and absorb more heat
conduction- heat flow from animal to the ground
convection- area of contact, thermal conductance of substrate
evaporation of water- sweating, panting, wetting body surfaces

Question 8

how do mammals and birds respond to cold and hot environments

Answer 8

homeothermic endotherms

Question 9

what is involved in the core temperature?

Answer 9

the brain, thorax and abdomen

Question 10

what is the thermal neutral zone

Answer 10

no heat production or heat loss adjustments are required to maintain body temperature within normal core values

Question 11

factors that influence the thermal neutral zone and why it is an important concept for animal husbandry

Answer 11

lower critical temperatures

Question 12

why are neonates and high producing animals are at increased risk of hypothermia and hyperthermia?

Answer 12

higher ratio of body surface to body volume
higher proportional surface area of the head
lack of musculature and inability/reluctance to shiver
poor thermal insulation - lack of fat, coat/hair/feathers
inability to move away from cool areas
some species ie piglets have no brown fat

Question 13

behavioural responses of animals being too hot

Answer 13

seek air movement and shade
maximise body surface area

Question 14

physiological responses of animals being too hot

Answer 14

minimise surface insulation (plumage/pelage)
minimise tissue insulation
minimise heat production
evaporative cooling
sweating, panting, wetting body

Question 15

behavioural responses to animals being too cold

Answer 15

huddling
withdrawing extremities
seeking shelter

Question 16

physiological responses to animals being too cold

Answer 16

increasing surface insulation
increasing tissue insulation - fat
counter current heat exchangers
thermogenesis - shivering and brown fat (neonates)