Metabolism in conformers and regulators

Question 1

Abiotic factors that can affect an organisms metabolism -

Answer 1

pH, temperature and salinity (salt concentration) - affects osmosis

Question 2

Two ways organisms can respond to environmental variation

Answer 2

Conformation and regulation

Question 3

Conformer definition

Answer 3

A conformer is an organism that’s internal environment is directly dependent upon its external environment

Question 4

Can conformers maintain metabolic rate by physiological mechanisms?

Answer 4

They are unable to maintain metabolic rate by physiological mechanisms, they can do it by behavioural responses like moving into sun for example.

Question 5

Where do conformers tend to live?

Answer 5

In the ocean where the environment is relatively stable.

Question 6

Conformers advantages -

Answer 6

Low metabolic costs, since physiological homeostasis (maintenance of a steady state) uses up a lot of energy

Question 7

Conformers disadvantages -

Answer 7

Animal is restricted to a narrow range of ecological niches and less adaptable to environmental change

Question 8

How can conformers tolerate variation in their external environment ?

Answer 8

They will use behavioural responses to tolerate variation

Question 9

Regulators definition -

Answer 9

Regulators are organisms which can maintain their internal environment regardless of the external environment. They maintain a steady state, known as homeostasis.

Question 10

Regulators advantages -

Answer 10

Can exploit wider range of ecological niches since they can control their internal environment.

Question 11

Regulators disadvantages -

Answer 11

The animal has to expend energy on homeostasis, increasing metabolic costs - meaning more food will be required.

Question 12

How may climate change impact on the survival of species?

Answer 12

If climate changes and the species is not able to survive it may die out.
Or another species which is better suited may outcompete the original.