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Flashcards in Animals In The Extemes Deck (21)
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1
Q

How is haemoglobin adapted at high altitude environments?

A

It has higher oxygen affinity

2
Q

Small animals have a large surface area to volume ratio, what are the issues with temperature and water?

A

Temperature: risk of overheating and temperature loss during nights

Water: larger surface area leads to increased evaporation

3
Q

What are the three main strategies in desert animals?

A

Evaders
Evaporators
Endurers

4
Q

What do evaders do?

A

Avoid exposure to extreme climates due to rhythmic activity patterns, burrowing, estivation (summer sleep)

5
Q

What do evaporators do?

A

Dependent on a reasonable water supply to allow them to cool down by the use of evaporation

6
Q

What do endurers do?

A

Usually large mammals and can tolerate high fluctuations in body temperature and hydration

7
Q

Where can microclimates in the desert occur?

A

10cm below the sand conditions are more stable

8
Q

What are some examples of locomotor tricks in desert animals?

A

Alternating feet in desert lizards, sidewinder snakes and cartwheeling desert spiders

9
Q

What are the morphological tricks of the desert snail in order to avoid over heating?

A

Highly reflective surface (95% reflection of sunlight)

Apex of shell is cooler inside and the snail will retract into this compartment during the day

10
Q

What is Allen’s rule?

A

Animals adapted to cold climates have shorter limbs and body appendages than animals adapted to warm climates

11
Q

What are the morphological tricks of the black tailed jackrabbit?

A

Specialised areas of bare skin which contains a network of blood vessels for heat exchange (“radiators”)

12
Q

What is the dark flank for in the Thompson’s gazelle?

A

The dark flank absorbs heat better compared to the rest so they can orientate themselves to control body temperature

13
Q

What percentage of water loss can camels endure?

A

30%

Humans 10-12%

14
Q

What happens to an animal when they become dehydrated?

A

The blood cells shrink which leads to death because you cannot extract any oxygen

15
Q

How can camels replenish the water deficit?

A

By drinking very rapidly (200L in 3 mins)

Water is temporarily stored within the gut in order to prevent big fluctuations in plasma osmolarity

16
Q

What is another way to conserve water?

A

Urinate less through having more concentrated urine

17
Q

Where does most of the absorption of water and salts take place in the kidney?

A

The first part of the tubule called the proximal convoluted tubule

And loop of Henle

18
Q

What do the ascending and descending limbs of the loop of Henle do?

A

Thin descending limb contains water channels but it is impermeable to salts

Thick ascending limb contains salt transporters but it is impermeable to water

19
Q

Do desert animals have long or short loops of Henle and why?

A

Very long loops of Henle because the longer the loop the more concentrated the gradient and urine

20
Q

What is special about the kangaroo rat?

A

They have a perfect water balance so there is no need for them to drink any water at all

21
Q

What are the physiological tricks of conserving water in desert beetles?

A

Have a condensation chamber for water which evaporates from spiracles