Key Area 2.4: Metabolism in conformers and regulators

Question 1

What is a conformer?

Answer 1

A conformer is an organism that cannot maintain their metabolic rate by physiological mechanism. The internal environment is directly dependent on their external environment. They do not posses the ability to adapt to change if it occurs.
Conformers don’t use physiological mechanisms that require energy to alter their metabolic rate, therefore they have low metabolic energy costs. conformers live in stable environments to avoid change, conformers can also maintain their optimum metabolic rate by using behavioural responses-like snakes basking on rocks to increase body temperature.

Question 2

What is a regulator?

Answer 2

Regulators are organisms that can control their internal environment aswel as maintain this steadily which is known as homeostasis using physiological mechanisms. This ability can widen the range of possible ecological niches which they could occupy, however this regulation requires energy to maintain the homeostasis. The mechanism achieved from homeostasis is negative feedback control

Question 3

What is negative feedback control?

Answer 3

Negative feedback systems have monitoring centres which have receptor cells and a system for sending messages and effectors. the receptors are special cells which constantly are monitoring the internal environment detecting changes. ife there is a change to the optimum is detected, there is a corrective mechanism put on and messages will be sent to the effectors, these messages can either be hormones in the blood or nerve impulses. The effectors are the parts of the body like muscles or glands which then respond to the message sent, the response will correct the change to return it back to its optimum state.