Homeostasis

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a stable internal environment (body temperature) within an organism

Behavioral Adaptations to Maintain Homeostasis

panting molting

How do Humans Maintain

Homeostasis?

Diurnal

An organism’s behavior characterized by activity during the day and sleeping at night.

Diurnal animals

Nocturnal

An organism’s behavior characterized by activity during the night and sleeping during the day.

Traits include: sensitive vision (usually large eyes, sensitive hearing, sensitive smell)

Nocturnal AnimalsTarsier (tar-sea-er)

Aardvark

Endotherm

Animals that actively maintain a stable body temperature by generating heat

Humans, birds and mammals

“Warm-blooded”

Ectotherm

Animals whose body temperature changes with their environment

Most animals: reptiles, fish, insects

“Cold-blooded”

How to stay Warm/Cool?

Endotherm:

Maintain internal temperature

Burn a lot of calories doing this

Need fur/fat/shelter to stay warm

Need water/mud/cold weather to stay cool

Ectotherm:

Change temperature with environment

Change position or location based on outside temperature

Much more behavioral ways to maintain