Conformers and Regulators 2.4

Question 1

What is a conformers internal environment dependant on?

Answer 1

Conformers’ internal environment is dependent upon external environment.

Question 2

What effect does the external environment have on a regulator?

Answer 2

Regulators maintain their internal environment regardless of external environment.

Question 3

What is the ability of an organism to maintain its metabolic rate affected by ? What is an example?

Answer 3

the ability of an organism to maintain its metabolic rate is affected by external
abiotic factors. (e.g temperature, salinity and pH.).

Question 4

What does a conformer use behavioural responses to do?

Answer 4

Behavioural responses by conformers allow them to
tolerate variation in their external environment to
maintain optimum metabolic rate.

Question 5

What kind of metabolic rate and range of ecological niches do conformers have?

Answer 5

Conformers have low metabolic costs and a narrow range of ecological niches.

Question 6

What do regulators use to control their internal environment? What does this increase?

Answer 6

Regulators use metabolism to control their internal environment, which increases the range of possible ecological Niches.

Question 7

What is achieved when energy is used for regulation?

Answer 7

Regulation requires energy to achieve Homeostasis. This increases their metabolic costs.

Question 8

What is the Hypothalamus?

Answer 8

The Hypothalamus is the temperature monitoring centre.

Question 9

How is information communicated to return temperature to normal?

Answer 9

Information is communicated by electrical impulses through Nerves to the Effectors,
which bring about corrective responses to return temperature to normal.

Question 10

What are the responses to an increase in body temperature?

Answer 10

The role of corrective responses to an increase in body temperature:
 Sweating — body heat used to evaporate water in sweat, cooling the skin.
 Vasodilation — increased blood flow to the skin increases heat loss.
 Decreased Metabolic Rate — less heat produced

Question 11

What are the responses to a decrease in body temperature?

Answer 11

The corrective responses to a decrease in body temperature:
 Shivering — muscle contraction generates heat.
 Vasoconstriction — decreased blood flow to skin decreases heat loss.
 Hair Erector Muscles Contract — traps layer of insulating air.
 Increased Metabolic Rate — more heat produced.

Question 12

What is the importance of regulating temperature?

Answer 12

Importance of regulating temperature (thermoregulation) for Optimal Enzyme
Activity and High Diffusion Rates to maintain metabolism.