2.5 Metabolism and Adverse Conditions Flashcards
What is the meaning of ‘adverse conditions’
Conditions that are beyond the tolerable limits for normal metabolic rate
State the two common strategies to survive adverse conditions?
1 - Decrease metabolic rates by periods of dormancy
2 - Avoid adverse conditions by migrating
What is dormancy?
Stage in an organism’s life-cycle where metabolic rate is decreased and the growth of the organism stops
What are the two types of dormancy?
Predictive
Consequential
What is predictive dormancy?
Where the organism is dormant before the onset of adverse conditions
What type of dormancy is it if the animal goes into dormancy as a result of the change to environmental conditions?
Consequential
What are the two examples of dormancy?
Hibernation
Aestivation
Describe ‘Hibernation’
Hibernation is predictive dormancy that avoids winter conditions and potential metabolic crisis by lowering energy expenditure
What are two ways in which energy expenditure can be lowered during hibernation?
Slowed breathing rate
Decreased Heart Rate
Give an example of an animal that hibernates
Dormouse, Hedgehog
Describe ‘Aestivation’
A state of inactivity during periods of high temperature or drought
Give an example of an animal that Aestivates
Lungfish, Crocodile
What is ‘Daily Torpor’?
Regular period of reduced activity during part of some small birds and mammals with very high rate of metabolism daily cycle.
What is an advantage of daily torpor?
- Conserves Energy
What is ‘Migration’
The avoidance of metabolic adversity by regularly moving over a long distance
