Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

38. Animal Form and Function

Thermoregulation

General Biology

38. Animal Form and Function

Thermoregulation

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1:52 minutes

Problem 10

Textbook Question

The dinosaur Apatosaurus (Brontosaurus) is one of the largest terrestrial animals that ever lived—over 20 m in length and weighing over 20 metric tons. Is it more likely that Apatosaurus was homeothermic or poikilothermic? Explain.

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Understand the definitions: Homeothermic organisms maintain a stable internal body temperature regardless of external conditions, while poikilothermic organisms have a body temperature that varies with the environment.

Consider the size of Apatosaurus: Large animals have a lower surface area to volume ratio, which affects how they gain or lose heat. This could influence their thermoregulation strategy.

Evaluate the energy requirements: Homeothermic animals typically require more energy to maintain a constant body temperature, which could be challenging for such a large animal.

Analyze the environmental context: Consider the climate and habitat in which Apatosaurus lived. If it was warm and stable, poikilothermy might have been more feasible.

Reflect on evolutionary advantages: Determine if being homeothermic or poikilothermic would provide survival advantages, such as better mobility or adaptability to environmental changes.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Homeothermy

Homeothermy refers to the ability of an organism to maintain a stable internal body temperature regardless of external environmental conditions. This is typically achieved through metabolic processes that generate heat, allowing animals to remain active in various climates. Homeothermic animals, like mammals and birds, often have adaptations such as insulation and efficient circulatory systems to support temperature regulation.

Poikilothermy

Poikilothermy is a condition where an organism's body temperature varies with the ambient environment. Poikilothermic animals, such as reptiles and amphibians, rely on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature, which can limit their activity during cooler periods. These animals often exhibit behaviors like basking in the sun to increase their body temperature and are generally less metabolically active than homeotherms.

Metabolic Rate and Size

The metabolic rate of an organism is closely linked to its size, with larger animals typically having lower metabolic rates per unit of body mass. This concept is crucial in understanding thermoregulation in large dinosaurs like Apatosaurus. Due to their massive size, they may have had a slower metabolism, which could suggest a tendency towards poikilothermy, as maintaining a constant high metabolic rate would be energetically demanding for such large creatures.

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