Unit 2.4 Metabolism in regulators and conformers Flashcards
What factors affect the ability of an organism to maintain its metabolic rate?
external A-biotic factors, such as
-Temperature
-pH
-Salinity
What are conformers?
Conformers are organisms that are dependant on the external environment for their internal environment. They use behavioral responses to maintain their metabolic rate, and have low metabolic costs, and a narrow range of ecological niches
What can conformers do in response to a temporary change in environmental conditions?
They can use a behavioural response such as basking
What is a regulator?
A regulator is an organism that is able to maintain its internal conditions regardless of its external environment
Regulators use metabolism to control their internal environment and this increases their range of ecological niches
This regulation requires energy to achieve homeostasis. This increases their metabolic costs
What is the role of the hypothalamus?
Temperature monitoring centre.
How does the process of negative feedback work?
Information is communicated by electrical impulses through nerves to the effectors which bring about corrective responses to return temperature to normal.
What are the corrective responses that a thermoregulator can take to respond to an increase in temperature?
- Sweating, body heat used to evaporate water in sweat to cool skin
- Vasodilation, Increased blood flow to the skin increases heat loss
- Decreased metabolic rate, less heat produced
What are the corrective responses that a thermoregulator can take to respond to a decrease in temperature?
- Shivering, muscle contraction generates heat
- Vasoconstriction, decreased blood flow to skin causes decreased heat loss
- Hair erector muscle contraction, causes hairs to rise and trap a layer of insulating air reducing heat loss
- Increased metabolic rate, more heat produced
What is the Importance of thermoregulation?
Thermoregulation is vital for
- Optimal enzyme activity
- high diffusion rates to maintain metabolism
