Temperature

Question 1

Endotherms (homeotherms)

Answer 1

• warm blooded (for the most part)
• mammals and birds
• control their body temp by keeping it constant
• • retain heat produced by muscles
• • control rate of respiration
• • burn fats for energy
• • insulation (blubber, feather, hair)
• allows them to stay active in cold water, but uses lots of energy

Question 2

Ectotherms (poikilotherms)

Answer 2

• cold blooded
• temperature of water affects body temp
• Most fish, reptiles
  – Exception to the rule that all fish are ectotherms:
  certain large, active fish like tuna and sharks are still cold blooded, BUT
  they retain the heat produced by muscles
  allows them to remain active in cold water

Question 3

Effect of temperature on marine organisms

Answer 3

• metabolism increases at higher temps, decreases at lower temps
• in extreme temps, enzymes cease to function entirely (so do body functions)