Chapter 15 - Homeostasis Flashcards
What is homeostasis?
Homeostasis is where the body maintains a dynamic equilibrium with small fluctuations over a narrow range of conditions.
What is thermoregulation and why is it important?
Thermoregulation is the process that maintains a core body temperature. It is important to maintain a core body temperature to ensure enzymes to not denature to maintain optimum enzyme activity.
What are ectotherms?
Ectotherms are where animals use the environment to regulate their body temperature (fish, amphibians and reptiles). They are also called ‘cold-blooded’.
What are endotherms?
Endotherms are where animals use their own metabolic activity to regulate their body temperature (mammals and birds).
State some behavioural responses in ectotherms to a changing environmental temperature.
Lay in the sun to increase radiation absorption from the sun. Increase through convection by pressing against the floor. To cool down they can lay in the shade, enter water or lay in holes.
State some philological responses to a changing environmental temperature.
Some animals may change their colour depending on the climate. In cold areas, animals may be black to obtain more sunlight heat, in hot areas they will be white to reflect dung light heat to cool down.
