Maintaining Body Temperature – Endotherms

Maintaining Body Temperature – Endotherms

Endotherms

·        Internal sources of heat to maintain body temp.

·        Many chemical reactions – exergonic – release heat energy.

·        Increase rate of respiration in liver to release heat – using energy intake for warmth

·        Use behavioural (e.g. basking in sun) /physiological (e.g. redirecting blood away from skin) too.

Advantages:

·        Constant body temp. despite external

·        Activity possible in cool temp. e.g. night/early morning/winter

·        Can inhabit colder parts of planet.

Disadvantages:

·        Lot of energy intake used for body temp. maintain in cold.

·        More food needed

·        Less energy for growth – more food needed to grow.

Temperature Regulation - Physiological

Sweat gland :

·         secrete sweat » water evaporates…