Thermoregulation in Animals

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Most of living things on earth have the ability to survive on climatic variation, thus possess a vital characteristic which can perform that capability. Unfortunately, some animal only can live in specific environments because lack of adaptation ability in their genes. A regular frog only can survive in humid ambience because of their moist skin. If the frog is placed on a dessert, the probability of survival of the frog is very low and might end up dead. These phenomena not actually because of the frog’s dried skin, but the internal body system of the frog cannot function well in a hot and dry atmosphere. According to Akin (2011), the important aspect for every species to survive in various categories of biomes and aquatic environment is the capability to modify to external environment change and control a consistent internal body system and regulation. Homeostasis is a regulation of internal body environment through a feedback mechanism consist of a specific organ structure of the nervous and endocrine system (Bailey, n.d.). Examples of homeostatic processes in the body consist of temperature regulation, pH maintenance, fluid and electrolyte balance, blood pressure, and respiration. In this essay, we only cover the regulation of temperature or thermoregulation on animals. There are 4 distinct types of thermoregulation which include poikilotherm, homoeotherm, ectotherm and endotherm. Thermoregulation actually is the most vital and distinguishable form of homeostasis. Each type of enzymes within cells required optimal temperature internally to remain functional (Shmoop Editorial Team, 2008).

The first types of thermoregulation are poikilotherm. Poikilotherm is termed as an organism which can regulate its body temperature accordin...

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...animals except mammals and birds are ectotherms” (p. 286). To control their body temperature, some of the ectothermic animals adapt to a certain behavior. Lizard, a reptile, will find a sunny place and then strecth out for largest exposure to sunlight. If the environment become too warm, they will shift between the sun and shade (Starr, 2003). Example of ectothermic animals are snakes, lizards and frogs.

In conclusion, the four types of thermoregulations that was discussed are poikilotherm, homeotherm, endotherm, and ectotherm. Each of them have their own unique characteristics and their adaptation are mostly regulated by their environment. This is one of the most preferred examples for homeostatis process because it allows that certain organisms to survive in their harsh environment so that their genomic information can be passed from their generation to the next.

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