Thermoregulation Study Notes

These flashcards cover key concepts related to thermoregulation, its mechanisms, and adaptations in animals.

Thermoregulation

The process that allows the body to maintain its core internal temperature.

Thermal neutral zone

The range of environmental temperatures where the metabolic rate is minimal and does not require heat regulation.

Upper critical temperature (UCT)

The highest ambient temperature an animal can withstand before it needs to cool down.

Lower critical temperature

The lowest ambient temperature at which an animal must generate heat to maintain body temperature.

Ectotherms

Cold-blooded animals that rely on external environments for body heat.

Endotherms

Warm-blooded animals that maintain stable internal body temperatures.

Homeotherms

Organisms that maintain a consistent body temperature regardless of the environment.

Poikilotherms

Organisms whose body temperature fluctuates with the environment.

Heterotherms

Animals that can vary their body temperature depending on conditions.

Daily torpor

A temporary state of decreased physiological activity to conserve energy.

Thermogenin

A protein in brown adipose tissue that helps generate heat.

Nonshivering thermogenesis (NST)

The process of generating heat without muscle contractions, particularly in brown fat.

Acclimatization

Physiological adjustments that organisms make to adjust to changing environmental conditions.

Conduction

Heat transfer through direct contact with a surface.

Convection

Heat transfer through the movement of air or liquid across a surface.

Radiation

Heat transfer through infrared waves.

Evaporation

The process of liquid turning into gas, which results in cooling.

Countercurrent heat exchange

The arrangement of blood vessels to minimize heat loss by transferring heat from warm arterial blood to cold venous blood.

Gular fluttering

A cooling mechanism involving rapid movement of the throat pouch to enhance evaporative heat loss.

Brown fat

A type of adipose tissue that generates heat by burning calories.

Insulation

The mechanism by which an animal retains body heat, such as through fur or blubber.

Basking

The act of absorbing heat from the sun to increase body temperature.

Physiological thermostats

Biological mechanisms that help regulate body temperature.

Vasoconstriction

The narrowing of blood vessels to reduce blood flow and conserve body heat.

Blubber

A thick layer of fat beneath the skin of some animals that provides insulation.

Metabolic heat adjustment

A process by which organisms adjust their metabolism to generate heat.

Antifreeze compounds

Biochemical substances produced by some ectotherms to prevent ice formation in their cells.

Heat exchange mechanisms

Methods by which animals gain or lose heat to and from their environment.

Behavioural responses

Actions taken by animals to regulate their temperature, such as sunbathing or huddling.

Physiological adaptations

Internal adjustments an animal makes to manage body temperature effectively.

Morphological adaptations

Physical features that help an animal survive in specific temperature ranges.

Enzymatic reactions

Biochemical processes affected by temperature, with reduced rates at lower temperatures.

Membrane fluidity

The viscosity of cellular membranes which can change with temperature.