Hibernation

Question 1

Define hibernation

Answer 1

the condition/ period of an animal or plant in a dormant state in order to survive against climate conditions

Question 2

What is summer hibernation known as?

Answer 2

Estivation

Question 3

What is estivation?

Answer 3

Summer hibernation

Question 4

What are 3 factors that can trigger hibernation?

Answer 4

Photoperiod - day light length
Temperature
Shortage of food

Question 5

Define torpid

Answer 5

Mental and physical inactivity

Question 6

What is the difference between carnivores and rodents in hibernation?

Answer 6

Carnivores are like sleepers and can wake more easily.

Rodents are deep sleepers that go into a coma-like state of torpidity

Question 7

What is the difference between endothermic and ectothermic hibernation?

Answer 7

Ectothermic hibernation is UNCONTROLLED, forced by environmental conditions.
Endothermic is CONTROLLED - can delay going into hibernation until fully prepared

Question 8

Why are smaller species more prone to heat loss than larger species?

Answer 8

Because smaller species have a greater surface area to volume ratio

Question 9

Why would an animal go into estivation?

Answer 9

To avoid hot and dry conditions for protection

Question 10

Name 1 animal that estivates

Answer 10

Fat-tailed lemur
Kangaroo rat
Desert Tortoise

Question 11

What is hibernacula?

Answer 11

Den/ shelter preparation for hibernation

Question 12

Which type of ‘therm’ is more likely to suspend hibernation until fully prepared and why?

Answer 12

Endotherms

Because their hibernation is more controlled, whereas ectotherms are more controlled by environmental conditions

Question 13

Which hormone does the pineal gland secrete for hibernation and what triggers it?

Answer 13

Melatonin

Triggered by lower levels of sunlight (photoperiod)

Question 14

What happens to the thyroid regulation in hibernation?

Answer 14

Thyroid shrinks the metabolic rate, reduces secretion, regulates the amount of sugar needed by the animal

Question 15

Name 3 things the pituitary gland does to the body during hibernation?

Answer 15

Deposits fat
Lowers body temp
Slows heart rate
Slows respiration
Triggers insulin release

Question 16

How much does the Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) drop to in hibernation?

Answer 16

Below 5%

Question 17

How much can heart rate drop to in hibernation?

Answer 17

To as little as 2.5% of usual level

Question 18

Give an example of high rate decrease in a species in hibernation

Answer 18

Either:
Chipmunks - slows from 200bpm to 5bpm
Hedgehogs - slows from 188bpm to 21bpm

Question 19

How much does an animals breathing rate decrease by in hibernation?

Answer 19

Drops by 50%-100%

some animals stop breathing althogether

Question 20

What is apnea?

Answer 20

Several minutes of ceased breathing

Question 21

What is the sole energy of species in hibernation?

Answer 21

Fat

Question 22

Why do animals go to hibernation on an empty stomach?

Answer 22

Because digestion stops so food wouldn’t be digested and instead would rot

Question 23

How does the wood frog prevent freezing in hibernation?

Answer 23

The liver produces lots of glucose to prop up cells and prevent them from being lysed (bursting)

Question 24

What is the average hibernation length in the artic circle vs north temperate regions

Answer 24

Artic Circle = 9 month average

North Temperate Regions = 6 month average

Question 25

Why might a species periodically arouse during hibernation?

Answer 25

To avoid nerve damage
To avoid completely freezing
To boost the immune system
To recover from stress of metabolic depression
To get rid of waste
If triggered by a threat

Question 26

What triggers the end of hibernation?

Answer 26

Temperature
Photoperiod (longer daylight hours)
Biological rhythms