2.5 Metabolism and Adverse conditions

Created by

Elaina Mallon

Cards (14)

Define the term dormancy. 
Dormancy is part of some organisms life cycle to allow the survival during a period of when the costs of continued normal metabolic activity would be too high.
Growth and development are temporarily suspended, but enough energy is available to keep the organisms cells alive.
During dormancy there is a decrease in metabolic rate, heart rate, breathing rate, and body temperature.
Describe predictive dormancy. 
Predictive dormancy occurs before the onset of adverse conditions.
Some plants lose their leaves and enter a period of rest and inactivity when the climatic conditions are not suitable for growth.
-E.g deciduous trees will lose their leaves as they enter their dormant phase. This is due to the day-length and temperatures decreasing throughout the winter months.
-Predictive dormancy is most common in ecosystems which have predictable and constant patterns of weather/seasons.
Describe consequential dormancy. 
Consequential dormancy occurs after the onset if adverse reactions.
-the benefit of this type of dormancy over predictive dormancy Is that the organism can remain active longer and exploit available resources.
-Most common in ecosystems which have unpredictable and inconsistent patterns of weather/ seasons.
State the different variations for dormancy.
Hibernation
Aestivation
Daily torpor
Describe the purpose of hibernation and give examples.
Hibernation involves the lowering of body temperature, heart and breathing rate, and Oxygen consumption. This in return decreases the metabolic rate at a time when food is limited. The organism will slowly use the body fat reserves as the energy source throughout this period.
-Hedgehog, Bats.
Describe the purpose of aestivation and give examples.
Similar to hibernation but will take place during summer or drier seasons. The long periods of extremely high temperatures or extremely dry conditions means food and water will be limited.
-Animals that aestivate will reduce Oxygen consumption, heart and breathing rate.
-E.g snails, earthworms, lizards.
Describe the purpose of daily torpor and give examples.
A period of reduced activity (in a 24hr cycle) in some animals with high Metabolic rates. There is a reduction in Oxygen consumption, heart and breathing rate. This allows conserving energy between foraging for food and mating.
-E.g hummingbird
State the triggers that will initiate migration in some animals.
Temperature
Day-length
Hormone changes
Describe innate behaviour. 
-Inherited
-Inflexible: Performed by all members of the species.
-Occurs in response to external stimulus e.g temperature.
-The timing and direction of migration is innate.
Describe learned behaviour. 
-Gained by experience
-Flexible: Behaviours are not exactly the same as others
-Occurs as a result of trial and error or by sharing information with members of a social group.
-Stopover and feeding times are learned through experience.
State two techniques that are used to track animals.
Satellite tracking
Leg rings
Describe how satellite tracking is used to monitor and track animals.
The animal has a tracking device attached to its body which sends out signals about the animals location which is picked up by satellites orbiting the earth. The information is related to receivers on the ground for scientists to analyse.
Describe how leg rings are used for tracking animals.
The animal is captured and given an identification code which can be found on a metal band placed around the birds leg. Once the bird has been recaptured information can be collected.
State one implication that can be caused by using leg rings.
A large number of birds must be captured in order to gain any useful information.