Week 1 Flashcards
Homeostasis
Define Conformers
Conformers will parallel systemic parameters to those of the environment
Define Regulators
Regulators will maintain internal stability even as external conditions change
Which are more vulnerable to climate change, conformers or regulators?
Conformers since they can only conform within a given range. At some point internal systems will not be able to keep up with drastic changes in external conditions.
What is Animal Physiology
The study of how animals work. The function of tissues, organs, organ systems of multicellular animals
Goal of Animal Physiology
Understanding the structure and function of various parts of an animal and how these parts work together to allow animals to perform normal behaviours and respond to their environment
Define Homeostasis
Integrative actions of the systems of an organism that results in the maintenance of optimal internal environment despite variations in the external conditions
Homeostasis is controlled through _________ or _________
Feedback loops or reflex control pathways
Which systems are the major homeostatic control systems of many animals?
Nervous and Endocrine >.<
Define Receptor
A sensor that is sensitive to detect any change in conditions
Define Control Center
Integration center which receives and processes information supplied by the receptor and initiates compensatory responses
Define Effector
Cell or organ that responds to the commands of the control center and whose activity opposes (negative feedback) or enhances the stimulus (positive feedback)
What is the end goal for homeostasis?
To keep vital areas protected against unfavourable change
Explain feedback control
The sensor compares the set point to the environment and sends feedback to the integration center
Explain Negative Feedback Loops
Primary mechanism of homeostatic regulation which provides long term control over internal conditions and systems
End goal of negative feedback loops?
Restore a homeostatic normal range rather than a fixed value
Explain Positive Feedback Loop
Produces a response that amplifies or enhances the change in conditions (does not typically occur)
End Goal of Positive Feedback?
Restore systemic homeostasis quickly (acts during potentially dangerous or stressful procesess)
Define Scaling
The relationship between anatomical or physiological traits and body size
Define Allometry
The study of how characteristics of animals change with size and the functional mechanism that generate these scaling relationships (how they impact ecology and respond to/influence evolution)
Scaling Limitation?
Allometry
Name some biological scaling relationships (with examples)
- Morphological traits - relationship b/w brain size and body size in adult humans
- Physiological traits (metabolic rates and body size in mammals)
- Ecological traits (relationship b/w wing size and flight performance of birds)
Why does scaling matter?
The surface of organism is involved in exchange of material with the environment while the volume is responsible for the processing and use of these materials
Evolutionary Limitations
Physiology is limited by ancestral characteristics of each animal group-
Homology
Similarity due to ancestry
Analogy
Similarity due to similar environmental pressures (independent of ancestry)
Diversity of adaptations to the environment is limited by ______
Ancestry
Define Ectotherms
Animals that do not have internal control of their body temperature— body temp is generally similar to environment
Define Endothermic
Animal that maintains a constant body temperature in the face of environment changes
Endothermic are able to maintain a level of activity because________
they generate internal heat that keeps their cellular processes operating optimally even when the environment is cold
True or False: Only endotherms have adaptations that allow their physiological temperatures to work optimally
False— both have adaptations!
Define Physiological Adaptations
A metabolic or physiologic adjustment within the cell or tissue of an organism in response to an environmental stimulus resulting in the improved ability of that organism to cope with its changing environment
