Lecture 1 Flashcards
What is bioenergetics?
Processes that influence energy flux impacting and organisms survival and fitness
What are primary energy inputs?
food and solar energy
What are primary losses?
Convection
evapotranspiration
radiation
conduction
What are primary needs of an organism?
Warmth and homeostasis
Activities (foraging, shelter, territory)
Growth
Reproduction
What is radiation?
Heat transfer of electromagnetic waves entering or leaving an object
Mainly for amphibians and reptiles
modify heat exchange through behaviour, depending where and when they are active–> exposed body parts, colour of fur
What is conduction?
exchange of energy by direct molecular contact
minor inpact on wildlife heat exchange because pelage/feathers prevent direct contact
feathers and fur trap air depending on length and thickness
What is convection?
Heat transfer due to mass movement of heated molecules in a fluid
large impact in low temperature biomes (lots of heat loss)
What is evaporation?
Loss of energy to the conversion of a liquid to gas
animals can use perspiration or evaporation from moist surface of respiratory system
panting and gular flutter use a lot of energy and generate heat
How can animals modify thier behaviour based on energy needs
Change in food sources
migration
changing time of year for reproduction
What are management implications for providing these energy needs?
Increase shelter
increase energy supply
forest vegetation and topography influence:
thermal cover (radiation, convection, evaporation)
Wind (convection)
What is Base metabolic rate? and what are the 6 requirements?
Energy required to breathe, pump blood and run metabolic processes
6 requirements: Living in ideal temperature
Calm psychological state
standard nutritive condition
free of disease and parasites
neutral digestion
Why would an organism have a higher BMR?
Prey put energy into being more aware of surroundings
higher surface area to volume ratio
What are some key facts about reproduction?
most energetically expensive activity
males -largest energy cost during mating eason
higher winter mortality than females
females-largest energy cost in fetal production and care of young after mating season
What nutritional factors do animals need?
Water Nitrogen Protein Carbohydrates Lipids
WHy water?
cell metabolism- solvent for salts, ions, gases
dilution and elimination of toxins
Lubricating skeletal joints
transports light and sound
