Comparative Locomotion Flashcards
What is the advantage of comparing animal species?
Can look at limitations to locomotion and strategies to overcome these
What is the cost of transport?
The amount of energy used to move a given distance
Does speed affect the cost of transport?
No
Which is the cheapest form of locomotion?
Swimming
What happens to cost as body size increases?
Cost decreases -> animal is more efficient the larger it is.
How can metabolic rate be measured?
Measured by amount of oxygen per unit of time (VO2)
How can cost of transport be lowered?
1) Be big = longer strides, fewer steps (less internal work)
2) Move slowly = fewer steps (less internal work), lower metabolic cost
What is loading and unloading called?
AKA the retardation or lagging of an effect behind the cause of the effect
Hysteresis
How do tissues respond to heat?
Denaturing of tissue in tendon centre. Dense fibre packing means centre heats up but heat doesn’t disspipate - creates core lesions.
Why aren’t the biggest animals the fastest?
1) Bone density
2) Larger energy requirement
3) Heavier distal limbs
4) Posture -> straight spine
5) Digestive system
6) SA:V ratio
7) Reduced fight or flight
8) Learned behaviors -> evolved to be more lethargic and less fit.
What is a moment?
Moment = force x moment arm (distance from pivot)
In navicular disease in horses, bone is remodeled.
1) Why does bone remodel?
2) What happens to the point of GRF application in horses with navicular pain?
1) Force and frequency on bone increases or decreases remodelling rate.
2) Compressive forces going through the navicular bone -> pain causes GRF to shift to go through the toe.