Animal Physiology: Thermoregulation and Energy Requirements

A series of flashcards covering key concepts related to thermoregulation and energy requirements in animals.

What is thermoregulation?

The process by which animals maintain their internal body temperature within a certain range.

What are the energy requirements for animals?

Animals require energy for growth, repair, activity, and reproduction.

What is bioenergetics?

The overall flow and transformation of energy in an animal.

How is metabolic rate measured?

Metabolic rate is measured in joules or kilocalories.

What is the relationship between metabolic rate and animal size?

Larger animals have higher metabolic rates than smaller animals, but smaller animals have higher metabolic rates per gram.

What are endotherms?

Animals that rely on heat generated through metabolic processes to regulate body temperature.

What are ectotherms?

Animals that do not generate heat or not enough to elevate body temperature and rely on heat from external sources.

What are homeotherms?

Animals that maintain a stable body temperature.

What are poikilotherms?

Animals that allow their body temperature to fluctuate with the environment.

What are some strategies for lowering body temperature?

Sweating, panting, evaporative cooling, and using external fluids.

What is insulation in thermoregulation?

Features such as skin, hair, blubber, or feathers that reduce the flow of heat into or out of the organism.

What is countercurrent blood flow?

A strategy where warm blood in arteries transfers heat to cool blood in veins, minimizing heat loss.

What are negative feedback pathways in thermoregulation?

Processes that stabilize body temperature by activating cooling or warming mechanisms based on blood temperature.

What are some behavioral modifications in ectotherms for temperature regulation?

Sun exposure, water exposure, and minimizing shifts in ambient temperature.

What is regional endothermy?

The ability of some ectotherms, like fast swimmers such as tuna, to regulate their body temperature to some extent.

What is hibernation?

A controlled decrease in body temperature to conserve energy during unfavorable conditions.