bird flight and scaling Flashcards
(19 cards)
what is scaling in biology
how physical traits change with body size
how does lift scale with mass
lift is directionally proportional to wing area which is directionally proportional to mass^2/3
what is the significance of wing loading
it determines minimum flight speed and manoeuvrability
what is aspect ratio
wing length^2 divided by wing area
how does aspect ratio relate to flight style
high is gliding/soaring, low is flapping/manoeuvering
why do larger birds have proportionally longer wings
to reduce wing loading and aid lift
what did pennycuick find in petrel scaling studies
wing area scales slightly below expected, aspect ratio increases with mas
what limits maximum size in flying birds
muscle power and oxygen delivery
what extinct bird was amoing the largest fliers
argentavis magnificens
what are the main components of flight power
muscle power output and metabolic input
what are FG muscle fibres used for
fast anaerobic burst flight
what are FOG muscles fibres used for
aerobic sustained flight
what is Pmax in flight
maximum power output
what is Pms
maximum metabolic power
what bird group excels in Pms
migratory species
how does heart size relate to flight type
it decreases, limiting aerobic performance
what is double labelled water used for
measuring long term metabolic rates
what is the benefit of long, thin wings in large birds
better lift to drag ratio, reduces energy needed
what organ systems limit sustained flight in large birds
heart and lung (oxygen delivery)
