Temperature And Biological Systems

Question 0

What is a Eurytherm?

Answer 0

An organism with a wide temperature range.

Question 1

What is the Q10 relationship?

Answer 1

The relationship between temperature and the rate of biological processes in organisms.

Question 2

What is a Stenotherm?

Answer 2

An organism with a narrow temperature range.

Question 3

What is a Poikilotherm?

Answer 3

An organism where body temperature = environment/water temperature.

Question 4

What is a Homeotherm?

Answer 4

An organism with a constant and controlled body temperature which is semi-independent of the environment.

Question 5

What is a Eurythermal family?

Answer 5

The terebellid polychaetes found in greenland (6-7 degrees) and in persian gulf (24 degrees)

Question 6

What happens to Poikilothermic Stenotherms?

Answer 6

Can give rise to striking separations in species ranges, even on small spatial scales.

Question 7

What is counter-current exchange?

Answer 7

A system by which aquatic vertebrates limit the amount of heat lost to the environment by preventing body heat from reaching the extremities.

Question 8

What is the specific heat capacity of water?

Answer 8

3993Jkg-1K-1.

Question 9

How do fish conserve heat?

Answer 9

Most are true poikilotherms but some larger fish maintain above-ambient core temperatures using counter-current flow exchange.

Question 10

Which fish tend to maintain higher core body temperatures?

Answer 10

Usually ambush predators that run down their prey & maintain their high body temperature using energy/heat from digestion. Sharks are near homeotherms.

Question 11

How do marine reptiles maintain heat?

Answer 11

Some marine mammals have countercurrent systems. However in galapagos lizards only the largest males dive because they have smaller body surface areas than smaller animals which limits their loss of body heat.

Question 12

Is marine iguana activity affected by body temperature?

Answer 12

No. This suggests enzyme acclimatisation.

Question 13

What are some poikilothermic adaptions to avoid overheating?

Answer 13

Pisaster ochraceus pumps itself up using the water vascular system with cold water before low tide. Many intertidal polychaetes burrow into the sediment.

Question 14

How do aquatic birds regulate their temperature?

Answer 14

They are true homeotherms w/ a core temp of around 39-40 degrees. Their feathers and sub-dermal fat act as insulators.

Question 15

How are aquatic birds’ circulatory systems in their legs adapted for low temperatures?

Answer 15

They use the Rete system, which is similar to countercurrent flow. The veins also surround the arteries, which prevents heat loss.

Question 16

How do aquatic mammals control their core temperatures?

Answer 16

Aquatic mammals are true homeotherms. They use a passive system of insulation - often two thick layers of fur and blubber.

Question 17

How do aquatic mammals limit heat loss in their extremities?

Answer 17

The artery is surrounded by veins in close proximity with a rapid flowthrough.

Question 18

What change in rate would be expected for a 10 degree change for biological processes?

Answer 18

2-3 times higher or lower.

Question 19

How do vertebrate poikilotherms reduce body temperature changes?

Answer 19

Large fish use counter-current exchange to maintain core temperature, and iguanas bask.