biology
Australian Ectotherms and Endotherms- temperature regulation
Part A :Types of Temperature regulation
1. Write down the meaning of the terms endotherm and ectotherm. Consult a textbook if necessary.
a. endotherm
Endotherms are animals that can maintain a constant internal body temperature. For instance mammals and birds are true endotherms that can maintain a constant internal body temperature
b. ectotherm
Ectotherms are animals that are not able to regulate their body temperature or in simple words, they cannot maintain a constant internal body temperature.
2. From the graph,
a. Which animals could be described as true endotherms? Explain
From the graph we can see that cat, human and platypus are true endotherms. It is because cat, human, platypus are maintaining a constant internal body temperature. Looking at the vertical axis of body temperature, we can see that these animals have very slight or no difference in their internal body temperature. Their internal body temperature does not change, it stays the same.
b. Which animals could be described as true ectotherms? Explain
From the graph we can observe that echidna and lizard are the two true ectotherms. Looking back at the graph, we can see that that these two animal’s body temperature has changed very much. The vertical axis of body temperature shows that lizard’s body temperature has risen from low 10 to 30 degree Celsius. And so echidna’s body temperature has risen from mid-30 to mid-40 degree Celsius. They are true ectotherms as they could not have maintained that constant internal body temperature.
3. Suggest why there is an advantage to both endotherms and ectotherms in having a warm body temperature (within limits).
The warm body temperature will help them maintain their body at a metabolically favourable temperature at which the body enzymes are working in their optimum. When the enzymes are working at their best, the body has faster metabolism and more ability in doing something as it
Part A :Types of Temperature regulation
1. Write down the meaning of the terms endotherm and ectotherm. Consult a textbook if necessary.
a. endotherm
Endotherms are animals that can maintain a constant internal body temperature. For instance mammals and birds are true endotherms that can maintain a constant internal body temperature
b. ectotherm
Ectotherms are animals that are not able to regulate their body temperature or in simple words, they cannot maintain a constant internal body temperature.
2. From the graph,
a. Which animals could be described as true endotherms? Explain
From the graph we can see that cat, human and platypus are true endotherms. It is because cat, human, platypus are maintaining a constant internal body temperature. Looking at the vertical axis of body temperature, we can see that these animals have very slight or no difference in their internal body temperature. Their internal body temperature does not change, it stays the same.
b. Which animals could be described as true ectotherms? Explain
From the graph we can observe that echidna and lizard are the two true ectotherms. Looking back at the graph, we can see that that these two animal’s body temperature has changed very much. The vertical axis of body temperature shows that lizard’s body temperature has risen from low 10 to 30 degree Celsius. And so echidna’s body temperature has risen from mid-30 to mid-40 degree Celsius. They are true ectotherms as they could not have maintained that constant internal body temperature.
3. Suggest why there is an advantage to both endotherms and ectotherms in having a warm body temperature (within limits).
The warm body temperature will help them maintain their body at a metabolically favourable temperature at which the body enzymes are working in their optimum. When the enzymes are working at their best, the body has faster metabolism and more ability in doing something as it