Thermoregulation and Metabolic Rates

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts related to thermoregulation and metabolic rates in animals.

Thermoregulation

The active management of heat loss and gain.

Regulators

Organisms that use mechanisms of homeostasis to moderate changes in the internal environment.

Conformers

Organisms that allow their body parameters to track those of the environment.

Endotherms

Animals that use metabolic heat to maintain a high stable body temperature, differing from the surrounding environment.

Ectotherms

Animals that use energy from the environment to adjust body temperature.

Conduction

Direct molecular transfer of energy from a warmer surface to a cooler surface.

Convection

Conduction coupled to fluid movement, affected by shape and thermal gradient.

Radiation

Emission of photons from any surface above absolute zero, affected by temperature and surface properties.

Evaporation

Change of state of water from liquid to vapor, influenced by humidity gradient.

Homeotherms

Organisms that keep their body temperature constant.

Heterotherms

Organisms that allow their body temperature to fluctuate.

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

The minimum cost of living in an endotherm, measured at rest, fasted, without thermal stress.

Standard Metabolic Rate (SMR)

Similar to BMR but for ectotherms, with specified measurement temperature.

Respiratory Quotient (RQ)

Ratio of the volume of CO₂ produced to the volume of O₂ consumed during metabolism.

Allometry

Study of the relationship of body size to shape, anatomy, physiology, and behavior.

Countercurrent Heat Exchange

A mechanism that minimizes heat loss in some animals by arranging veins and arteries close together.

Q10 Value

A measure of how metabolic rate changes with a temperature increase of 10°C.