Question

1 Why are there very few aquatic animals that thermoregulate? Explain in terms of heat transfer.

2 In ectotherms, do metabolic reactions, muscle contractions, etc. release heat? If so, what is the difference between an endotherm and an ectotherm?

3 Does a jellyfish have a water tight integument? Why or why not?

Answer 1

1 Aquatic animals are mostly ectotherms.So the body temperatures of these organisms are mostly same as the temperature of water. It is impossible for an ectotherm to maintain a body temperature higher than aquatic media Properties of water make this impossible:

1. High specific heat capacity

2. High rate of heat conduction

3. Low rate of O2 diffusion

4. Low O2 solubility

5. Dense viscous media
Properties of water mean that water breathers must have high rates of unidirectional flow: (unidirectional ventilation required):
Rate of heat transfer exceeds rate of O2 transfer Heat equilibration before sufficient O2 is transferred.

2 It is endotherms that uses metabolic processes to regulate body temperature.

ectotherms	endotherms.
*Depends of external sources of body heat. *cold blooded animals. *low metabolic rates *Take on the temperature of environment to maintain body temperature.	* Capable of internal generation of heat. *warm blooded animals. *High metabolic rates. Use metabolic processes to regulate temperature.

Yes.This is prevent heat loss and help in thermoregulation.