Topic 7: Animal Adaptations

Question 1

What are some simple adaptations to improve oxygen diffusion into the tissue?

Answer 1

contour the shape, alter the shape.

Question 2

What is herbivory?

Answer 2

a diet that is high in plant material.

Question 3

What are some challenges with herbivory?

Answer 3

• plants are low in protein, and high in carbohydrates, whereas animal tissue are high in protein and fat. Therefore there is a mismatch between the food source and the animal tissue. The body has to change the food source to match the tissue and therefore uses energy.
• there are significant amounts of cellulose and lignin (indigestible for humans).

Question 4

How do herbivores address problems related to food quality?

Answer 4

• bacteria and protozoans within the digestive tract which can create fatty acids, AA, proteins and vitamins. they can unlock energy and nutrient potential from cellulose/lignin.
• expanded length and complex (multi chambered) digestive tracts are often present.

Question 5

What is the difference between how ruminants digest plants VS non-ruminants?

Answer 5

• ruminants possess a 4 chambered stomach (fementation vat).
• non-ruminants tend to have extended intestines.
  
  • slows the passage of food and does not require regurgitation
• seed and fruit eaters have additional digestive chambers.

Question 6

What is a problem for carnivores? what is an advantage?

Answer 6

main problem for carnivores is food quantity.

advantage is that the composition of tissues resembles that of their prey (so easier to assimilate into their tissues).

Question 7

What is omnivory?

Answer 7

Omnivores feed on both plants and animals

Question 8

An increasing number of animals are being considered opportunistic omnivores. What does this mean?

Answer 8

Generally the animal is a carnivore but if they have the option of have an easy meal that is plants/fruits etc, they will eat it even if they do not regularly eat plants (in this scenario).

Question 9

What is homeostasis?

Answer 9

the maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment in a variable external environment through feedback systems.

Question 10

Animal thermal balance is similar to plants (evaporation and convection). Animals differ in what way?

Answer 10

• they generate higher quantities of heat.
• can gain or lose heat from conduction.
• they can escape hot and cold environments.

Question 11

There are 3 types of temperature regulation groups. Define ectothermy (and poikilothermy).

Answer 11

ectothermy: heat of an organism is primarily generated by the external environment.

poikilothermy: the MAINTENANCE of a variable temperature which fluctuates with external temperatures.

Question 12

There are 3 types of temperature regulation groups.
Define endothermy and homeothermy.

Answer 12

Endothermy: heat of an organisms is primarily generated internally by metabolic processes

Homeothermy: the maintenance of a fairly constant temperature INDEPENDENT of external temperatures.

Question 13

There are 3 types of temperature regulation groups.
define heterothermy.

Answer 13

heterothermy: organisms which use both ecto or endothermy depending on environmental need.

Question 14

What allows for a high rate of cellular respiration in homeothermic animals?

Answer 14

efficient cardiovascular systems for o2 transport allow a high rate of cellular respiration.

Question 15

Pokilothermy restricts what of an animal?

Answer 15

Poikilothermy restricts upper body size limit of an animal bc larger body sizes increases the amount of time needed to warm up.

Question 16

Homeothermy restricts what of an animal?

Answer 16

Homeothermy restricts lower body size limit of an animal bc larger body sizes allows for greater conservation of heat.

Question 17

What is Bergmann’s rule?

Answer 17

As you move north, animals get bigger to conserve heat, tho this doesn’t apply to every animal.

Question 18

How do cold climate poikilotherms withstand long periods of freezing temperatures?

Answer 18

• freezing point reduction via accumulation of glycol.
• supercooling antifreeze proteins along with glycol prevents formation of ice crystals (-60C).
• some Northern poikilotherms freeze and tolerate ice formation.

Question 19

How do homeotherms withstand freezing temperatures?

Answer 19

• larger size.
• small appendages and concentrated rounded body mass.
• thicker insulating covers in the form of fat or fur.
• internalization of veins near arteries to retain heat.
• torpor/ hibernation.
• migrate somewhere warmer.

Question 20

What is the difference between torpor and hibernation? What happens to the animal during either?

Answer 20

torpor: daily event for a few hours.

hibernation: seasonally and for a long term.

during torpor/hibernation, the animal relaxes control over their body systems. the body temp then decreases significantly and CR slows and allows conservation of energy.

Question 21

How do terrestrial animals reduce water loss?

Answer 21

• highly efficient kidneys or cloaca.
• highly efficient large intestine.
• reduced respiratory losses.

Question 22

In fresh water, organisms are _______ to their environment.

Answer 22

hyperosmotic; means that they are getting water consistently so they urinate regularly to get rid of the excess water.

Question 23

In salt water, organisms are _______ to their environment.

Answer 23

hypoosmotic; means they are constantly loosing water to their environment. they can drink the salt water but need special adaptations to secrete the excess salts.