METABOLISM IN CONFORMERS AND REGULATORS U2

Question 1

State factors that can affect an organism’s ability to maintain its metabolic rate

Answer 1

Abiotic factors are external factors that can affect an organism’s ability to maintain its metabolic rate. Examples include:

Temperature
Salinity
pH

Question 2

Compare a conformer and regulator

Answer 2

Conformers’ internal environment is dependent upon external environment.
Example: reptiles

Regulators maintain their internal environment regardless of the external environment.
Example: mammals

Question 3

Describe how conformers maintain an optimum metabolic rate

Answer 3

Conformers use behavioural responses to maintain an optimum metabolic rate.

Behavioural responses by conformers allow them to tolerate variation in their external environment to maintain optimum metabolic rate.

Example: snakes basking in the sun

Conformers have low metabolic costs and have a narrow range of ecological niches.

Question 4

Describe how regulators maintain an optimum metabolic rate

Answer 4

Regulators use metabolism to control their internal environment, which increases the range of possible ecological niches.

The regulation requires energy to achieve homeostasis. This increases their metabolic costs.

Question 5

Describe the role of the hypothalamus, nerves, effectors and negative feedback in thermoregulation

Answer 5

The hypothalamus is the temperature monitoring centre in the brain.

Information is communicated by electrical impulses through the nerves to the effectors, which bring about corrective responses to return temperature to normal.

Question 6

Describe and explain the corrective responses taken by the body to an increase in body temperature

Answer 6

There are many corrective responses involved in a response to an increase in body temperature. Here are the main ones along with an explanation.

Sweating – body heat used to evaporate water in the sweat, cooling the skin.
Vasodilation – increased blood flow to the skin increases heat loss through radiation.
Decreased metabolic rate – less heat produced.

Question 7

Describe and explain the corrective responses taken by the body to a decrease in body temperature

Answer 7

There are many corrective responses are involved in a response to a decrease in body temperature. Here are the main ones along with an explanation.

Shivering – involuntary muscle contraction generates heat.
Vasoconstriction – decreased blood flow to skin decreases heat loss through radiation.
Hair erector muscles contract – causing hairs to raise which traps a layer of insulating air.
Increased metabolic rate – more heat produced.

Question 8

Explain the importance of regulating temperature (thermoregulation)

Answer 8

Regulation of temperature allows for optimal enzyme activity and high diffusion rates to maintain metabolism.

(Keeps the optimum temperature for enzyme activity, provides enough energy for molecules to diffuse at a sufficient rate.)