Metabolism in Conformers and Regulators Flashcards
What affects an organisms ability to maintain its metabolic rate?
Abiotic factors e.g. pH, temperature, salinity etc.
What are conformers?
Conformers’ internal environment is dependent upon external environment.
They use behavioural responses to maintain optimum metabolic rate.
They have low metabolic costs and a narrow range of ecological niches.
What are regulators?
Regulators maintain their internal environment regardless of external environment.
They use metabolism to control their internal environment which increases the range of possible ecological niches.
This regulation requires energy to achieve homeostasis. This increases their metabolic costs.
What are thermoregulators?
Thermoregulators (birds and mammals) maintain a constant body temperature regardless of the environmental temperature.
They regulate their body temperature using homeostatic negative feedback mechanisms.
Why do mammals thermoregulate?
Metabolism is dependent on enzymes which are temperature dependent.
To maintain high diffusion rates to maintain metabolism.
What is the hypothalamus?
The temperature monitoring centre.
Information is communicated by electrical impulses through nerves to effectors, which bring about corrective responses to return temperature to normal.
What are responses when you’re too hot?
Sweating- body heat is used to evaporate water in the sweat, cooling the skin.
Vasodilation- blood vessels near the skin dilate (widen) to increase blood flow to the skin, which increases heat loss.
Decreased metabolic rate- less heat produced.
What are responses when you’re too cold?
Shivering- muscle contraction which generates heat.
Hair erector muscles contract- traps a layer of insulating air.
Vasoconstriction- blood vessels near the skin constrict (narrow) to decrease blood flow to the skin, which decreases heat loss.
Increased metabolic rate- more heat produced.
