Metabolism in conformers and regulators Flashcards
what are abiotic factors?
abiotic factors are non living factors such as temperature;
what does the nervous system do?
the nervous system allows messages / signals to pass from one part of the body to another.
is the metabolic rate of an organism affected by external conditions?
yes
what regulates each and every reaction?
enzymes
name 2 environmental factors which may affect enzymes?
PH and Temperature
name one advantage of conformers ?
low metabolic costs (not a lot of energy required)
name one disadvantage of conformers ?
it will frequently restrict these organisms to narrow ecological niches and lower activity rates.
what is osmoloarity?
Osmolarity is a measure of the quantity of dissolved ions in water.
name 4 ways conformers use adapted behavior to control their body’s temperature?
- vaporisation (getting wet);
- convection (losing or gaining heat to an airflow);
- conduction (lying next to some colder or warmer surface or material);
- radiation (finding shade or lying on hot rocks).
what is a regulator?
Regulators are organisms which are able to use metabolic means to regulate their internal environments in response to external environmental changes.
Explain why it is important to maintain an organism’s body temperature within a relatively narrow range?
Enzyme activity works around an optimum range, above it becomes denatured, below it is inactive.
Which part of the brain detects body temperature?
Hypothalamus
What term describes the process whereby the blood vessels immediately under the skin become narrower to restrict blood flow and reduce heat loss?
Vasoconstriction
What happens when the body is too hot?
Vasodilation which leads to Decreased metabolic rate
what happens when the body is too cold
Vasoconstriction which leads to Increased metabolic rate
