Higher Biology - Unit 2.5

​Unit 2.5

Metabolism and Adverse conditions

​Adverse conditions

​From time to time, environmental conditions go far beyond from what an organism is able to withstand. This would halt normal metabolic activity. Organisms have adapted to survive extreme conditions

​Dormancy

​Organisms can survive adverse conditions by decreasing metabolic activity through Dormancy. It is part of some organisms' life cycle and is a period where the metabolic activity of an organism decreases to allow the conservation of energy

​During a period of dormancy their is a decrease in the following: Heart rate Metabolic Rate Breathing rate Body temperature

​There are 2 types of dormancy...

​Predictive - The organism enters dormancy before the onset of adverse conditions Consequential - The organism enters dormancy after the onset of adverse conditions

​Hibernation

​Is an example of dormancy in mammals

​Hibernation is an adaptation that allows mammals to escape cold weather and food shortages during winter. As a result of this, body temperatures decrease

Animals that hibernate include rats and mice, bats, as well as Polar bears and American black bears

​Daily Torper

​Like hibernation, daily torper is another period of reduced activity. It only goes on for a few hours and can be seen as a short term hibernation

This can be used to decrease the metabolic rates of animals with high metabolic rates. Humming birds do this during the night to save their energy

​Aestivation

​Is an adaptation for survival in high temperatures or drought conditions It is there to stop the desiccation (drying out) of an animal This adaptation is common in invertebrates such as worms and snails aswell as lungfish and crocodiles

​Migration

​Migration is used by Atlantic Salmon, and some birds like the bar-tailed godwit It is done to avoid adverse conditions, therefor metabolic adversity is avoided. This involves expending energy to relocate an environment that is more suitable

Multiple Choice

Which type of dormancy is carried out by mammals to tolerate low temperatures and lack of food?

• Hibernation

• Torper

• Migration

• Aestivation

Multiple Choice

Which type of dormancy is carried out by birds with high metabolic rates?

• Torper

• Hibernation

• Migration

• Aestivation

Multiple Choice

Which type of dormancy is an adaptation for survival during high temperatures and drought?

• Aestivation

• Hibernation

• Torper

• Migration

Multiple Choice

Which adaptation is used by Fish and Birds to find an environment with more suitable conditions?

• Hibernation

• Migration

• Aestivation

• Torper

​Tracking Migration

​Long distance migration can be studies using a variety of techniques including individual marking and radio or satellite tracking. Marking an animal involves capturing it and then tagging it with a marker. The animal will have to be recaptured after migration to gather the data If a radio transmitter is attached to the animal, the reciever picks up to the signal being transmitted and the animals precise location is identified without having to recapture it

​List of Terms

​Dormancy - Reduction in metabolic rates of an organism to survive adverse conditions

Hibernation - Response of mammals to survive adverse conditions by reduction of metabolic rate, brought about by low temperatures and lack of food

Aestivation - Type of dormancy that allows animals to survive in periods of high temperature of drought

Torpor - Period of reduced activity in organisms with high metabolic rates

Predictive dormancy - Dormancy that occurs before the onset of adverse conditions

Consequential dormancy - Dormancy that occurs after the onset of adverse conditions

​END OF KEY AREA