Heat
Thermal energy, W
-heat energy can be transfered
Temperature
- heat follows a temperature gradient; HEAT FLUX (temp gradient)=rate of heat transfer
ambient/environmental temperature (Ta)
body temperature (Tb)
variability of ambient/environmental temperature
at +60C….
proteins denature, animals die
heat loss by conduction
-transfer of thermal energy within and between media; usually via contact
heat loss by convection
-loss to a MOVING FLUID: breathing air/water, wind chill, U^2
heat loss by evaporation
heat needed to convert liquid water to vapor, such as in sweat or drying
=520 cal/g; 2.2 kJ/g
heat gain by radiation
-transfer of thermal energy by means of electromagnetic radiation
heat flux
Thermal conductivity
ability of heat energy to MOVE within and between an object(s)
-ie. thermal conductivity of ice is greater than water, which is greater than air, and rocks conduct better than muscle
heat capacitance
aquatic environments have less extreme and less variable temperature because…
why is thermal physiology so important?
2. animals have evolved an elevated, regulated, and more narrow Tb starting 200 mya
temp. determines rates of reactions; increasing likelihood of…
animals rising, regulating, narrowing Tb
ectotherms
Tb=Ta
-metabolic heat production<heat loss to the environment
ectotherms: poikilotherm
-Tb varies with Ta
ecto: eurytherm
-lives in a large range for Ta
ecto: stenotherm
-lives in small range for Ta
endotherm
Tb>Ta, and stays within a smaller range (=homeotherm)
why is terrestrial environment more challenging for an ectotherm?
-temperatures more extreme, and Tb=Ta
why is aquatic environment more challenging for endotherms?
-endotherms must have metabolic heat production>heat loss to environment, and water has high heat conductivity, so heat is lost quicker in water than in air, making it harder to maintain internal temp, which is also narrower in endo