What is the difference between an ectotherm and an endotherm?
1 Answer
May 24, 2016
Ectotherm and endotherm words are applied to vertebrate animals. Endothermic organisms are able to maintain a steady and specific body temperature; but body temperature in ectothermic organisms fluctuate.
Explanation:
- A steady body temperature in endotherms is maintained through the process of 'homeostasis'; for example normal body temperature of a human is 37 degree celcius.
- Endothermic organisms rely on internal metabolic heat to keep body temperature steady, thus they exhibit homoeothermy.
- Endotherms obviously would need more food to maintain a constant internal body temperature irrespective of the temperature of the environment.
Mammals and birds are endothermic.
(Homeostasis is a state of dynamic equilibrium of internal environment of the body, which could be achieved through autonomous nervous control and hormonal coordination.)
There is no thermal homeostasis in ectothermic organisms.
- Body temperature in these organisms vary according to surrounding environmental temperature.
- These organisms almost always depend on sunlight to warm up and to start activity.
- Their metabolic rate is slower than that of endotherms.
- Change in environmental temperature readily affects activity of ectotherms.
Amphibians and reptiles are ectothermic.