Mammalian Physiology Flashcards
Thermal Regulation
Types:
Poikilothermy: body temp varies with environment
Homeothermy: maintenance of constant temperature
Mechanism:
Ectothermy: use external sources to regulate heat (cold-blooded)
Endothermy: use internal sources (warm-blooded)

Mammalian Thermoregulation
Mammals are endothermic homeotherms - mammals use up to 10x as much energy as equivalent-sized mammals
Mammals have fur/hair to provide insulation
Mammal body temperature is generally regulated at 37±1 °C but can vary (e.g hibernations, fevers)

Mammalian Metabolism
Maintaining body temperature requires energy - cost is minimised when environmental temperature is closest to body temp (Tb)
Each species has a range of environmental temperatures at which it can maintain Tb at low cost - the Thermal Neutral Zone (TNZ) (can be fine-tuned by changing insulation)
when environment goes above or below TNZ the cost of maintaining Tb increases considerably

Equation of Temperature
