T4 Sillero- Mammalian structure and function: endothermy + feeding

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Last updated 8:54 AM on 5/21/26
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6 Terms

1
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how can mammals be adapted to cold environments?

mainly due to endothermy + high basal metabolic rate

  • large body size to minimise s.a:vol ratio and reduce heat loss

  • insulation- long fur + blubber made of fat + collagen in marine mammals

  • appendages- shorter + thicker limbs with countercurrent heat exchange between veins + arteries

  • colouration- light pigmentation of fur/clear hairs so light penetrates to the dark skin (+ camouflaging)

  • migration to warmer climates

  • microclimate modification- communal nesting + elaborate nests

  • food hoarding

  • reduction in activity/body mass, dormancy, torpor + hibernation- reduced metabolic rate, heart rate + body temperature

<p>mainly due to <strong>endothermy </strong>+ high basal metabolic rate</p><ul><li><p><strong>large </strong>body size to minimise s.a:vol ratio and reduce heat loss</p></li><li><p><strong>insulation</strong>- long <strong>fur </strong>+ <strong>blubber </strong>made of fat + collagen in marine mammals</p></li><li><p>appendages- <strong>shorter </strong>+ <strong>thicker limbs </strong>with countercurrent heat exchange between veins + arteries</p></li><li><p>colouration- <strong>light </strong>pigmentation of fur/clear hairs so light penetrates to the dark skin (+ camouflaging)</p></li><li><p><strong>migration </strong>to warmer climates</p></li><li><p><strong>microclimate modification</strong>- communal <strong>nesting </strong>+ elaborate nests</p></li><li><p>food hoarding</p></li><li><p><strong>reduction </strong>in activity/body mass, <strong>dormancy</strong>, <strong>torpor </strong>+ <strong>hibernation</strong>- reduced metabolic rate, heart rate + body temperature</p></li></ul><p></p>
2
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how can mammals be adapted to hot environments?

  • nocturnal activity to avoid exposure to high temperatures

  • relying on burrows + shade

  • anatomic arrangement to promote cooling of the brain

  • longer, thinner appendages + large ears for heat loss

  • small body size to maximise s.a:vol ratio and increase heat loss

  • concentrated urine (long loops of Henle) + dehydrated faeces for water conservation

<ul><li><p><strong>nocturnal </strong>activity to avoid exposure to high temperatures</p></li><li><p>relying on <strong>burrows </strong>+ <strong>shade</strong></p></li><li><p>anatomic arrangement to promote <strong>cooling </strong>of the <strong>brain</strong></p></li><li><p>longer, thinner appendages + large ears for heat loss</p></li><li><p><strong>small </strong>body size to maximise s.a:vol ratio and increase heat loss</p></li><li><p><strong>concentrated </strong>urine (long loops of Henle) + dehydrated faeces for water conservation</p></li></ul><p></p>
3
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what is the tooth structure and positioning in mammals?

  • carnivores and herbivores have different tooth layouts/structures as well as jaw movements

these all evolved from a small, insectivorous mammalian ancestor

  • carnivore jaw muscles favour vertical movement- shearing

  • herbivore jaw muscles favour horizontal movement- grinding

  • omnivore jaw movement facilitates both- crushing

<ul><li><p>carnivores and herbivores have different tooth layouts/structures as well as jaw movements</p></li></ul><p>these all evolved from a small, insectivorous mammalian ancestor</p><ul><li><p><strong>carnivore </strong>jaw muscles favour <strong>vertical </strong>movement- <strong>shearing</strong></p></li></ul><ul><li><p><strong>herbivore </strong>jaw muscles favour <strong>horizontal </strong>movement- <strong>grinding</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>omnivore</strong> jaw movement facilitates both- <strong>crushing</strong></p></li></ul><p></p>
4
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how have mammals adapted to insectivory?

  • insectivory is the basal, ancestral condition of placental mammals

  • teeth tend to be smaller and similar in structure

  • in many cases a sticky protruding tongue is relied on to catch insects

  • short intestines, no cecum

  • longer, extended skulls evolved multiple times

5
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how have mammals adapted to carnivory?

  • short intestine + colon, small cecum

  • terrestrial carnivores often use large canines to catch and hold prey

  • specialisations of aerial (eg. vampire bats) and aquatic (eg. baleen whales- baleen filters + no teeth to feed on zooplankton) carnivores

6
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how have mammals adapted to herbivory?

  • forgeut fermentation- chambered ruminant stomachs for fermentation of cellulose (digastric)

  • hindgut fermentation (monogastric)

  • specialisations for granivory, folivory (leaves), frugivory (fruit), nectarivory (long tongue), gummivory, mycophagy

  • gnawing mammals have teeth that grow for life

  • some evolved coprophagy- feeding on faeces for dual digestion