Thermoregulation in endotherms and ectotherms

Overview

Peripheral receptors and the hypothalamus, vasodilation, sweating, erector pili muscles and shivering, and the behavioural responses an ectotherm relies on.

What you need to know

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Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   What is an ectotherm?

   Model answer

   An organism that relies on external sources of heat to regulate its body temperature.

2. 2

   What is an endotherm?

   Model answer

   An organism that generates heat internally from metabolic processes to regulate its body temperature.

3. 3

   Where are peripheral temperature receptors located in endotherms, and what do they detect?

   Model answer

   They are located in the skin and detect external temperature changes.

4. 4

   Which part of the brain acts as the thermoregulatory centre in endotherms?

   Model answer

   The hypothalamus, which processes temperature information and coordinates responses.

5. 5

   What happens to blood flow in the skin when arterioles vasodilate, and how does this affect heat loss?

   Model answer

   Vasodilation increases blood flow to the skin surface, increasing heat loss.

6. 6

   How do sweat glands in the skin of endotherms contribute to temperature regulation?

   Model answer

   They secrete sweat, which evaporates from the skin surface causing evaporative cooling.

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