Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
Which of the following groups of animals are ectothermic?
A
Birds
B
Mammals
C
Aves
D
Reptiles
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the term 'ectothermic.' Ectothermic animals rely on external sources of heat to regulate their body temperature, unlike endothermic animals, which generate heat internally through metabolic processes.
Step 2: Review the characteristics of the groups listed in the problem. Birds (Aves) and mammals are endothermic, meaning they maintain a constant body temperature through internal mechanisms.
Step 3: Identify the group that is ectothermic. Reptiles, such as snakes, lizards, and turtles, are ectothermic animals. They depend on environmental heat sources, like sunlight, to regulate their body temperature.
Step 4: Confirm the classification of reptiles as ectothermic by considering their behavior. For example, reptiles bask in the sun to warm up and seek shade or burrow to cool down.
Step 5: Conclude that reptiles are the correct answer to the question, as they are the only group listed that fits the definition of ectothermic animals.