Question

1. Ectotherms and endotherms have different energy requirements.

       a) Define each of these types of organisms in relation to their thermoregulation and provide an example of each.

       b) Which method of thermoregulation is an advantage in a wild habitat? Why?

Answer 1

• Endotherms use internally generated heat to maintain body temperature. Their body temperature tends to stay steady regardless of environment. Endotherms generate most of the heat they need internally. When it's cold out, they increase metabolic heat production to keep their body temperature constant. Because of this, the internal body temperature of an endotherm is more or less independent of the temperature of the environment.People, polar bears, penguins, and prairie dogs, like most other birds and mammals, are endotherms.

• Ectotherms depend mainly on external heat sources, and their body temperature changes with the temperature of the environment. For ectotherms body temperature mainly depends on external heat sources. That is, ectotherm body temperature rises and falls along with the temperature of the surrounding environment. Although ectotherms do generate some metabolic heat like all living things ectotherms can't increase this heat production to maintain a specific internal temperature. Iguanas and rattlesnakes, like most other reptiles along with most fishes, amphibians, and invertebrates are ectotherms.

b. Ectothermy is the best method in a wild habitat. Most ectotherms do regulate their body temperature to some degree, though. They just don't do it by producing heat. Instead, they use other strategies, such as behavior seeking sun, shade, etc. To find environments whose temperature meets their needs. In most wild habitat the want to conserve their energy so ectothermy is useful.