Metabolism In Conformers And Regulators Flashcards
State three factors which effect an organisms ability to maintain its metabolic rate
The ability of an organism to maintain its metabolic rate is affected by external abiotic factors such as pH, temperature and salinity
give a definition for conformers
the internal environment of a conformer is dependent upon its external environment
give a definition for regulators
Regulators maintain their internal environment regardless of external environment
state the pros and cons of conformers
PRO: they have low metabolic cost (as they require less energy to maintain internal state). CON: they have a narrow ecological niche (as they are less adaptable to environmental change)
state the pros and cons of regulators
PRO: they are adaptable and can exploit a wide range of ecological niches. CON: they have high metabolic cost (as they require more energy to maintain internal environment - homeostasis).
how do conformers maintain a stable metabolic rate
behavioural responses
define homeostasis
the regulation of an organism’s internal environment despite external environment. requires energy
define thermoregulation
the control of temperature within an organism
describe the negative feedback loop
conditions in body change. receptors detect change. corrective mechanisms are activated by nerves or hormones. conditions are returned to set point by effectors. corrective mechanisms deactivated.
describe thermoregulation
temperature in the body changes. the hypothalamus detects changes in blood temperature and receives impulses from thermoreceptors in the skin. the hypothalamus then sends out nerve impulses to effectors to trigger corrective mechanisms. temperature is returned to normal. corrective mechanisms deactivated
state the corrective responses to a decrease in body temperature
shivering, vasoconstriction of blood vessels, hair erector muscles contracting and increased metabolic rate
state the corrective responses to an increase in body temperature
sweating, vasodilation of blood vessels and decreased metabolic rate
describe the role of the hypothalamus in thermoregulation
contains thermoreceptors which detect changes in blood temperature and sends out appropriate impulses to effectors to trigger corrective feedback.
describe the role of effectors in thermoregulation
return temperature to normal by corrective mechanisms e.g. sweating
describe the role of nerves in thermoregulation
nerves are sent by hypothalamus to effectors to trigger corrective feedback
