Metabolism in conformers and regulators - learning outcomes/ questions

Question 1

The ability of an organism to maintain its metabolic rate is affected by what?

Answer 1

The ability of an organism to maintain its metabolic rate is affected by external abiotic factors.

Question 2

Examples of Abiotic factors

Answer 2

Abiotic factors — temperature, salinity and pH.

Question 3

Conformers’ internal environment depends upon what?

Answer 3

Conformers’ internal environment is dependent upon external environment.

Question 4

Conformers use what to maintain optimum metabolic rate.

Answer 4

Conformers use behavioural responses to maintain optimum metabolic rate.

Question 5

Conformers have low what and a narrow what?

Answer 5

Conformers have low metabolic costs and a narrow range of ecological niches.

Question 6

Behavioural responses by conformers allow them to what?

Answer 6

Behavioural responses by conformers allow them to tolerate variation in their external environment to maintain optimum metabolic rate.

Question 7

Regulators maintain their internal environment regardless of what?

Answer 7

Regulators maintain their internal environment regardless of external environment.

Question 8

Regulators use what to control their internal environment?

Answer 8

Regulators use metabolism to control their internal environment.

Question 9

Regulators use metabolism to control their internal environment. What does this increase?

Answer 9

increases the range of possible ecological niches.

Question 10

This regulation requires what to achieve what?

Answer 10

This regulation requires energy to achieve homeostasis.

Question 11

This regulation requires energy to achieve homeostasis. What does this increase?

Answer 11

This increases their metabolic costs.

Question 12

The hypothalamus is the what?

Answer 12

The hypothalamus is the temperature monitoring centre.

Question 13

Informations is communicated how and what does it bring about?

Answer 13

information is communicated by electrical impulses through nerves to the effectors, which bring about corrective responses to return temperature to normal.

Question 14

How does sweating respond to an increase in body temperature?

Answer 14

Sweating — body heat used to evaporate water in the sweat, cooling the skin.

Question 15

How does vasodilation respond to an increase in body temperature?

Answer 15

Vasodilation — increased blood flow to the skin increases heat loss.

Question 16

How does a decrease in metabolic rate respond to an increase in body temperature?

Answer 16

Decreased metabolic rate — less heat produced.

Question 17

How does shivering respond to a decrease in body temperature?

Answer 17

Shivering — muscle contraction generates heat.

Question 18

How does Vasoconstriction respond to a decrease in body temperature?

Answer 18

Vasoconstriction — decreased blood flow to skin decreases heat loss.

Question 19

How does Hair erector muscles respond to a decrease in body temperature?

Answer 19

Hair erector muscles contract — traps layer of insulating air.

Question 20

How does an increase in metabolic rate respond to a decrease in body temperature?

Answer 20

Increased metabolic rate — more heat produced.

Question 21

What is the importance of thermoregulation?

Answer 21

for optimal enzyme activity and high diffusion rates to maintain metabolism.