Part 4: Surface Area to Volume Ratio & Temperature

How do animals produce heat

Through metabolism (especially respiration)

How do animals gain or lose heat

• through their skin by radiation, depending on the temperature of their surroundings.

• Heat is transferred from the hotter object to the colder object (hotter object loses heat, colder object gains heat)

→ Eg:

• animal skin is warmer than surroundings = loses heat by radiation

• surroundings are warmer than animal skin = skin gains heat by radiation

 

Explain how small animals gain or lose heat. Explain how this can be of an advantage and disadvantage

• Smaller animals have a large surface area to volume ratio.

• This means they gain and lose heat quickly.

• They are vulnerable in cold environments because they lose heat rapidly.

• However, they cool down quickly in warm environments, helping prevent overheating.

Explain how large animals gain or lose heat.

• Larger animals have a small surface area to volume ratio.

• This means they gain and lose heat slowly.

Why do animals living in cold conditions have a compact (rounded shape)

to keep their surface area to a minimum, reducing heat loss