Metabolism in conformers and regulators Flashcards
Abiotic factors that can affect an organisms metabolism -
pH, temperature and salinity (salt concentration) - affects osmosis
Two ways organisms can respond to environmental variation
Conformation and regulation
Conformer definition
A conformer is an organism that’s internal environment is directly dependent upon its external environment
Can conformers maintain metabolic rate by physiological mechanisms?
They are unable to maintain metabolic rate by physiological mechanisms, they can do it by behavioural responses like moving into sun for example.
Where do conformers tend to live?
In the ocean where the environment is relatively stable.
Conformers advantages -
Low metabolic costs, since physiological homeostasis (maintenance of a steady state) uses up a lot of energy
Conformers disadvantages -
Animal is restricted to a narrow range of ecological niches and less adaptable to environmental change
How can conformers tolerate variation in their external environment ?
They will use behavioural responses to tolerate variation
Regulators definition -
Regulators are organisms which can maintain their internal environment regardless of the external environment. They maintain a steady state, known as homeostasis.
Regulators advantages -
Can exploit wider range of ecological niches since they can control their internal environment.
Regulators disadvantages -
The animal has to expend energy on homeostasis, increasing metabolic costs - meaning more food will be required.
How may climate change impact on the survival of species?
If climate changes and the species is not able to survive it may die out.
Or another species which is better suited may outcompete the original.
