Term paper on Adaptions In Ectothermic And Endothermic Animals To Extreme Climate
Adaptions In Ectothermic And Endothermic Animals To Extreme Climate Essays
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Adaptions in Ectothermic and Endothermic animals to extreme climates
First of all we need to understand what ectothermic and endothermic animals are.
Animals differ in their abilities to regulate body temperature (thermoregulation). We sometimes use the terms "cold-blooded" or "warm-blooded." Most reptiles feel cold to the touch, while mammals and birds often feel warm.
Somewhat more precise descriptions can be made by using the terms poikilothermic and homoiothermic. The body temperature of poikllotherms is relatively variable, while that of homeotherms is relatively constant.
Even more useful terms are Ectothermic or Endothermic, which suggest two different mechanisms of thermoregulation. Ectotherms generally obtain heat from their external surroundings. Their body temperature varies, corresponding at any time with the temperature of their external environment.
Endothermic animals, on the other hand, have relatively constant body temperatures. Their body temperature is independent of that of their external environment. Monkeys and walruses, for example, both have body temperatures of about 38C, despite living in very different habitats.
However if body temperature rises above its optimum level (usually around 40C in mammals) then the enzyme rate inside the body will go into sharp decline. This is because enzymes are proteins, and become denatured. One of the first organs to be affected is the brain. Since the brain controls breathing and the circulation, the rise in body temperature disrupts the normal functioning of these important systems.
If the body temperature decreases dramatically (hypothermia) then this will slow metabolic activity and impairs brain function.
Here is a graph to show the relationship between the body temperature and environmental temperature for a cat (endotherm) and a lizard (ectotherm)
Also we need to clarify what is meant by an extreme climate. In this investigation I will be using two different climates, The Desert and The Arctic
When an endotherm is subjected to severe cold it is liable to lose heat energy but this can be counteracted in a number of ways;
It could raise the hairs into a more vertical position by the contraction of the erector pili muscles. Air can then be trapped in the spaces between the hairs and, being a poor conductor of heat, it serves as an insulatory layer round the animal. This is an involuntary response brought about by the nervous system.
The arterioles leading to the superficial capillaries constrict and as a result blood flow to the surface of the skin is greatly reduced (vasoconstriction). This is brought about by the sympathetic nervous system and is useful in uncovered regions such as the ears where the surface-volume ratio is particularly large and so particularly susceptible to cold.
The metabolic rate can be increased therefore heating the inside of the body. A general increase in the metabolic rate is brought about by the hormones adrenaline and thyroxin which are produced in large amount during cold conditions. There is then a general increase in muscle tone, which is then followed by spasmodic contractions (shivering)
The response to high temperature is basically the reverse of the above processes; i.e Hairs lie flat against the body
The arterioles dialate (vasodialation) allowing blood to flow back to the surface of the skin so heat can be lost by diffusion.
Sweating occurs and the evaporation of the water from the skin cools the skin and blood.
Panting occurs. In some animals there are no sweat glands except in the pads of the paws. Thus they pant which speeds up evaporation from the lungs, pharynx and other moist areas helping to cool blood.
Metabolic rate decreases, so less energy is generated by the body
Arctic Polar Bears (Thalarctos maritimus)
Polar bears have successfully adapted to one of the world's most inhospitable climates, and remain active throughout the harsh winter. They are found on the sea ice of the Arctic throughout the North Polar basin.
The creamy white fur of the polar bear is especially dense and each of the individual hairs is hollow and contain insulating air spaces. This heavy fur and a large fat layer helps to retain body heat even while the animal is swimming in the coldest arctic weather. The fur does not absorb water so once the animal has climbed out of the water it merely has to shake itself dry. It...
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