(Unit 2.4) Conformers and Regulators

• How does an organism's metabolic rate relate to environmental changes?

  It is affected by external abiotic factors
• What are some examples of abiotic factors that affect metabolic rate?

  pH, temperature, and salinity
• Which abiotic factor will be the primary focus throughout higher biology?

  Temperature
• How do animals and plants adapt to environmental changes?

  By avoiding changes or by conforming or regulating themselves
• What is a conformer?

  An organism whose internal environment depends on the external environment
• How does a conformer's metabolic rate respond to external environmental changes?

  It cannot alter its metabolic rate by physiological mechanisms
• What happens to the body temperature of a conformer like a bass when the environmental temperature changes?

  The body temperature of the bass follows the environmental temperature
• What behavioral responses might conformers exhibit to tolerate temperature variations?

  They may bask in the sun or burrow into the sand
• What is one advantage of being a conformer?

  They have very low metabolic costs
• What is a significant disadvantage of being a conformer?

  They are restricted to a narrow ecological niche
• What is a regulator?

  An organism that uses energy to maintain a steady internal environment
• How does a regulator's internal environment respond to external environmental changes?

  It remains constant regardless of external changes
• What is the significance of maintaining a body temperature around 37 degrees Celsius for humans?

  It is essential for optimal metabolic rate and enzyme function
• What is homeostasis?

  The maintenance of a constant internal environment
• What principle controls homeostasis?

  Negative feedback
• What components make up the negative feedback system?

  Receptors, messages, and effectors
• What happens when a factor like temperature increases beyond a certain threshold?

  Mechanisms are stimulated to decrease that factor
• What is the set point in the context of homeostasis?

  The normal level of a factor in the body
• How do receptors function in the negative feedback system?

  They detect the level of a factor and send messages
• What role do effectors play in the negative feedback system?

  They carry out a response to correct the factor
• What is the hypothalamus's role in the body?

  It is the monitoring center of the brain
• What is the purpose of negative feedback control in homeostasis?

  To return the internal environment to a set point after a disturbance
• What is the role of receptors in the process of homeostasis?

  Receptors send messages to effectors when there is a change in the internal environment
• What is the hypothalamus's function in thermoregulation?

  It acts as the monitoring center for body temperature
• What is the optimum temperature for enzyme activity mentioned in the material?

  37 degrees Celsius
• Why is maintaining a core temperature important for metabolism?

  It ensures optimal enzyme activity and high diffusion rates
• What are the three main responses of the body to cooling down?

  • Sweating
  • Vasodilation
  • Decreasing metabolic rate
• How does sweating help cool the body down?

  It uses body heat to evaporate water from the skin
• What is vasodilation and how does it help in thermoregulation?

  It widens blood capillaries to increase blood flow to the skin for heat loss
• What happens to the metabolic rate when the body is trying to cool down?

  The metabolic rate decreases to reduce heat production
• What are the responses of the body to heating up?

  • Shivering
  • Vasoconstriction
  • Increasing metabolic rate
  • Hair erector muscles contracting
• What is shivering and how does it help warm the body?

  It is the involuntary contraction of muscles that generates heat
• What is vasoconstriction and how does it help in thermoregulation?

  It narrows blood capillaries to decrease blood flow to the skin and retain heat
• How do hair erector muscles contribute to thermoregulation?

  They contract to trap an insulating layer of air, keeping the body warm
• What happens to the metabolic rate when the body is trying to heat up?

  The metabolic rate increases to generate more heat
• What is the overall process of thermoregulation in the body?

  1. Hypothalamus detects temperature changes
  2. Sends electrical impulses to effectors
  3. Effectors respond to either cool down or heat up the body
  4. Negative feedback restores body temperature to set point
• What are conformers and regulators in the context of thermoregulation?

  Conformers rely on external conditions, while regulators maintain internal stability
• Why is it important to understand the responses of the body to temperature changes?

  To comprehend how the body maintains homeostasis and optimal functioning
• What are the main parts of the brain involved in thermoregulation?

  Cerebrum, cerebellum, medulla, and hypothalamus
• What is homeostasis?

  It is the process of maintaining a stable internal environment despite external changes