Week 1

Question 1

Define Conformers

Answer 1

Conformers will parallel systemic parameters to those of the environment

Question 2

Define Regulators

Answer 2

Regulators will maintain internal stability even as external conditions change

Question 3

Which are more vulnerable to climate change, conformers or regulators?

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

What is Animal Physiology

Answer 4

The study of how animals work. The function of tissues, organs, organ systems of multicellular animals

Question 5

Goal of Animal Physiology

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Define Homeostasis

Answer 6

Integrative actions of the systems of an organism that results in the maintenance of optimal internal environment despite variations in the external conditions

Question 7

Homeostasis is controlled through _________ or _________

Answer 7

Feedback loops or reflex control pathways

Question 8

Which systems are the major homeostatic control systems of many animals?

Answer 8

Nervous and Endocrine >.<

Question 9

Define Receptor

Answer 9

A sensor that is sensitive to detect any change in conditions

Question 10

Define Control Center

Answer 10

Integration center which receives and processes information supplied by the receptor and initiates compensatory responses

Question 11

Define Effector

Answer 11

Cell or organ that responds to the commands of the control center and whose activity opposes (negative feedback) or enhances the stimulus (positive feedback)

Question 12

What is the end goal for homeostasis?

Answer 12

To keep vital areas protected against unfavourable change

Question 13

Explain feedback control

Answer 13

The sensor compares the set point to the environment and sends feedback to the integration center

Question 14

Explain Negative Feedback Loops

Answer 14

Primary mechanism of homeostatic regulation which provides long term control over internal conditions and systems

Question 15

End goal of negative feedback loops?

Answer 15

Restore a homeostatic normal range rather than a fixed value

Question 16

Explain Positive Feedback Loop

Answer 16

Produces a response that amplifies or enhances the change in conditions (does not typically occur)

Question 17

End Goal of Positive Feedback?

Answer 17

Restore systemic homeostasis quickly (acts during potentially dangerous or stressful procesess)

Question 18

Define Scaling

Answer 18

The relationship between anatomical or physiological traits and body size

Question 19

Define Allometry

Answer 19

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)

Question 20

Scaling Limitation?

Answer 20

Allometry

Question 21

Name some biological scaling relationships (with examples)

Answer 21

1. Morphological traits - relationship b/w brain size and body size in adult humans
2. Physiological traits (metabolic rates and body size in mammals)
3. Ecological traits (relationship b/w wing size and flight performance of birds)

Question 22

Why does scaling matter?

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Evolutionary Limitations

Answer 23

Physiology is limited by ancestral characteristics of each animal group-

Question 24

Homology

Answer 24

Similarity due to ancestry

Question 25

Analogy

Answer 25

Similarity due to similar environmental pressures (independent of ancestry)

Question 26

Diversity of adaptations to the environment is limited by ______

Answer 26

Ancestry

Question 27

Define Ectotherms

Answer 27

Animals that do not have internal control of their body temperature— body temp is generally similar to environment

Question 28

Define Endothermic

Answer 28

Animal that maintains a constant body temperature in the face of environment changes

Question 29

Endothermic are able to maintain a level of activity because________

Answer 29

they generate internal heat that keeps their cellular processes operating optimally even when the environment is cold

Question 30

True or False: Only endotherms have adaptations that allow their physiological temperatures to work optimally

Answer 30

False— both have adaptations!

Question 31

Define Physiological Adaptations

Answer 31

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