Thermoregulation in ectotherms

• Thermoregulation= maintenance of a relatively constant core body temperature to maintain optimum enzyme activity.
• Ectotherms= internal temperature is not mainly controlled through physiological processes.

  • Core body temperature is heavily dependent on their environment.
• Behavioural responses

  • Move to a sunny or shaded area
  • Spreading out or curling up to increase or decrease their surface area for radiation.
  • Increase body temperature through conduction by pressing their bodies on the warm ground.
• Physiological responses

  • Changing body colour to absorb or reflect sun light.
  • Changing metabolic rate. (Being cold reduces metabolic rate.)
• Advantages of ectotherms

  • Don't have to eat as much because they are not constantly maintaining internal body temperature.
• Disadvantage of endotherms:

  • Metabolic speed is based on the environment.