fundamentals Flashcards
oxygen in atmosphere
21% at all locations in the atmosphere
proximate
the purpose of a function for example lightning bugs light up to find a mate
ultimate
why does a function occur for example there is a chemical reaction in the lighting bugs causing them to light up
Objectives of animal physiology
Describe the diverse ways in which
different animals meet their functional
requirements
* Elucidate evolutionary relationships by
comparing physiological characteristics
* Provide a physiological basis for ecology
* Find organisms particularly suitable for
demonstrating specific functions
* Lead to broad biological generalization
natural selection
variants of one trait exist that best suit the organism to its environment
requires: variation, heritability, fitness differences, differential reproductive success
Adaptation
a trait that increases an organisms
fitness and is the result of natural selection
Acclimatization
– Non-genetic changes in
physiology occurring during the lifetime of an
individual in response to a natural environment
Acclimation
same as acclimatization but with
reference to experimental manipulation
acute changes
short-term and reversible
Chronic changes
long-term and reversible
evolutionary changes
genetic changes
developmental changes
changes in the individual such as maturation
Changes controlled by a periodic biological clock
changes in the physiology of an animal repeating patterns controlled by a biological clock
Homeostasis
The tendency of
organisms to
regulate and
maintain a relatively
stable internal
environment in face
of a variable
external
environment
Feedback regulation
mechanism of maintaining homeostasis; sensory information about a variable controls cell processes, tissues and organs influence internal levels of that variable
Feedback control systems
regulatory systems maintaining homeostasis made up of 4 components
1. Setpoint
2. Control center
3. Receptor
4. Effector
Negative feedback
The abundance of the product causes the system to stop production, and cannot spiral out of control
Positive feedback
The abundance of the product triggers further production
conformers
organisms that are in line with their environment
Regulators
Regulation of systems regardless of the external environment
thermoductivity
losses heat faster in water
Poikilothermy
Body temperature fluctuates with the environment
Ectothermy
Body temperature is regulated by the external environment
Homeothermy
body temperature is kept at a constant
Endothermy
Body temperature is regulated by metabolism
Heterothermy
Allowing the body temperature to drop in order to conserve energy
Ex: humming birds at night
August Krogh Principle
For every well-defined physiological
problem, there is an animal model
ideally suited to yield an answer
Electrochemical equilibrium
When all charges are balanced within a system
Osmosis
Movement of water from lower [solute] to higher through
semi-permeable membrane
* Solvent (water) moves down its [ ] gradient
