Chapter 21: Problem 10

What is the difference in energy allocation and production efficiency between endotherms and ectotherms?

Short Answer

Expert verified

Answer: The primary difference in energy allocation between endotherms and ectotherms is the amount of energy used for thermoregulation. Endotherms require a significant proportion of their consumed energy to maintain constant body temperature, which results in lower production efficiency (1-3%). Ectotherms rely on external sources of heat for thermoregulation, allowing more energy to be allocated towards growth, reproduction, and other essential processes, resulting in higher production efficiency (10-40%).

Step by step solution

Define Endotherms and Ectotherms

Endotherms are organisms that generate heat internally to maintain a constant body temperature, regardless of their surroundings. Examples of endotherms include mammals and birds. Ectotherms, on the other hand, rely on external sources of heat, like the sun, to regulate their body temperature. Examples of ectotherms include reptiles, amphibians, and most fish.

Energy Allocation for Endotherms

In endotherms, a significant amount of the energy they consume is used to maintain their constant body temperature. This is done through metabolic processes, like cellular respiration, which generate heat as a byproduct. Therefore, a large proportion of their consumed energy is dedicated to thermoregulation (keeping their body temperature stable). The remaining energy is allocated for growth, reproduction, and other life processes.

Energy Allocation for Ectotherms

Ectotherms, on the other hand, rely on external sources of warmth to regulate their body temperature, which means they do not need to invest as much energy into thermoregulation as endotherms do. As a result, ectotherms can allocate a larger proportion of their consumed energy toward growth, reproduction, and other essential processes.

Production Efficiency for Endotherms

Endotherms have a lower production efficiency compared to ectotherms because a large portion of the energy they consume is required for thermoregulation. Consequently, less energy is available to be converted into biomass (e.g., muscle tissue) for growth and reproduction. The production efficiency (the percentage of consumed energy converted into biomass) for endotherms is generally around 1-3%.

Production Efficiency for Ectotherms

Ectotherms have a higher production efficiency because they do not rely on internal metabolic processes to maintain their body temperature. They can redirect the energy saved from thermoregulation towards growth and reproduction. As a result, the production efficiency for ectotherms is generally higher, around 10-40%.

Summary of Differences

The differences in energy allocation and production efficiency between endotherms and ectotherms can be summarized as follows: 1. Endotherms use a significant proportion of consumed energy for thermoregulation, leaving less energy for growth, reproduction, and other processes. Their production efficiency is generally lower (1-3%). 2. Ectotherms rely on the environment for thermoregulation and can allocate more energy towards growth, reproduction, and other vital processes, resulting in a higher production efficiency (10-40%).

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What is the difference in energy allocation and production efficiency between endotherms and ectotherms?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Define Endotherms and Ectotherms

Energy Allocation for Endotherms

Energy Allocation for Ectotherms

Production Efficiency for Endotherms

Production Efficiency for Ectotherms

Summary of Differences

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