Tetrapod Thermoregulation

Question 0

Regulators vs conformers

Answer 0

Regulators use internal control mechanisms to moderate internal change in the face of external environmental fluctuations (but costs energy)
Conformers allow their internal condition to vary with certain external changes
- fish have isozymes- enzymes that operate at a range of temperatures.

Question 1

What does evolutionary convergence reflect?

Answer 1

Different species adapt to a similar environmental challenge

Question 2

Homeostasis

Answer 2

Animals use homeostasis to maintain a steady state or internal balance, regardless of external environment
If humans, body temp, blood pH, glucose concentration are each maintained at a constant level.
Mechanisms for homeostasis moderate the internal environment-
For a given variable, fluctuations above or below a set point serves as a stimulus- these are detected by a sensor and trigger a response.
The response returns the variable to the set point.

Question 3

Describe warm and cold receptors

Answer 3

Warm:
Sweating, panting, behaviour, cardiovascular adjustment
Cold:
Behaviour, non-shivering thermogenesis, shivering, pilo-erection

Question 4

Describe some alterations in homeostasis

Answer 4

Set points and normal ranges can change with age or cyclic variation
Acclimatization is when homeostasis adjusts to changes in the external environment