Physiological Ecology Flashcards
- Study of the biophysical , biochemical and physiological processes
- Used by animals to cope with factors of their physical environment, or employed during ecological interactions with other organisms
- A discipline that combines the study of physiological and ecological processes in living organism
Physiological Ecology
Focuses on whole-animal function and adjustments to ever-changing environments
Physiological Ecology
The study of physiological ecology begins with an understanding of the influence of ________ _________.
Ambient temperatures
-one of the most ecologically significant factors
-also one of the most relevant in the face of global climatic change
Temperature
An important factor in the distribution of organisms because of its effects on biological processes
Environmental temperature
Process by which animals maintain an internal temperature within a tolerable range
Thermoregulation
Temperature affects the: (2)
- physiology of organisms
- density and state of water
Most organisms function best within a specific range of environmental temperatures above 45 degrees Celsius. Therefore, organisms must either:
- maintain an internal temperature
- they must inhabit an environment that will keep the body within a temperature range that supports metabolism
This helps supply heat
High metabolic rate
conducts and distributes heat around the body
Efficient circulatory system
enables animals to survive long periods of cold
Hibernation
Allows animals to survive the hostile conditions of hot, dry climate
Estivation
Mechanisms for regulating temperature in the body
-high metabolic rate
-efficient circulatory system
-hibernation
-estivation
They maintain a high internal temperature through metabolic heat generation
Endotherms
In endothermy, heat comes from metabolism in the:
-gut
-brain
In cold weather, these muscular activities provide a mechanism to increase metabolic heat production
-shivering
-exercising
-The regulation of their body temperature depends on external sources such as sunlight or a heated rock surface
-These organisms do not require as much food as the endotherms of the same size
Ectotherms
Animals that are considered Ectotherms
- Fishes
- Amphibians
- Reptiles
- Invertebrates
- animals that hibernate or estivate enter a state known as?
- a condition in which their metabolic rate is significantly lower
- this enables the animal to wait until its environment better supports its survival
Torpor
These amphibians have an anti-freeze chemical in their cells, which retains the cell integrity and prevents them from freezing and bursting
Wood frog (Rana sylvatica)
animals that migrate: (2)
- Far Eastern Curlew (Numenius madagascariensis)
- Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
This contributes to thermoregulation across many animal species.
ex. in birds and mammals, this includes adjusting the amount of fur in the winter (thicker coat), and shedding in the summer.
Acclimatization
An example of an Endotherm and Ectotherm (shown in the ppt)
Endotherm - Arctic Fox
Ectotherm - Iguana
Animals faced with temperature fluctuations may respond with adaptations such as ________, in order to survive.
Migration
- This bird species is the largest migratory shorebird in the world.
- A critically endagered species in Australia.
Far Eastern Curlew
________ solves problems related to temperature, locating food, and finding a mate.
Migration
These changes help endotherms keep a constant body temperature throughout the year.
Acclimatization
Acclimatization in ectotherms often include adjustments at the?
Cellular level
________ reduces membrane fluidity at moderate temperatures by reducing phospholipid movement.
Cholesterol
At low temperatures, what can Cholesterol do?
It hinders solidification by disrupting the regular packing of phospholipids
2 functions of Cholesterol within the animal cell membrane:
- Reduces membrane fluidity at moderate temperatures.
- Hinders solidification at low temperatures.
Some ectotherms that experience subzero body temperatures protect themselves by producing ________ ________ that prevent ice formation in the cells.
Antifreeze compounds
In the Arctic and Antarctic oceans, these compounds in the body fluids of certain fishes enable survival where water temps can be as low as -2C.
Antifreeze compounds
- This regulates solute concentration and balances the gain and loss of water.
- Is based largely on controlled movement of solutes.
Osmoregulation
Another major focus in Physiological Ecology that is particularly critical for desert dwelling organisms
Water Availability
An animal can maintain water balance in 2 ways. these are to be:
- an Osmoconformer
- an Osmoregulator
All Osmoconformers are?
Marine animals. (invertebrates)
Most marine vertebrates and some invertebrates are?
Osmoregulators
Most animals are said to be _______, and cannot tolerate substantial changes in external osmolarity.
Stenohaline
These animals can survive large fluctuations in external osmolarity.
Euryhaline animals
Marine bony fishes are _______ to sea water. they lose water by osmosis and gain salt by diffusion and from the food they eat.
Hypoosmotic
Hypoosmotic marine bony fishes balance water loss by?
drinking sea water
Freshwater animals maintain water balance by?
by excreting large amounts of dilute urine
Land animals manage their water budgets by?
- drinking and eating moist foods
- using metabolic water
These animals get water savings from simple anatomical features
Desert animals (example: camel)
