How do ectotherms regulate their body temperature? (Hint: It's covered in a Lesson 11 video!)
Ectotherms regulate their body temperature by using external sources of heat. They do not generate their own body heat internally like endotherms (e.g., mammals and birds).
Here are a few strategies that ectotherms use to regulate their body temperature:
1. Behavior: Ectotherms can change their behavior to either expose themselves to the sun and absorb heat or seek shade and avoid excessive heat. They may also adjust their body posture to maximize or minimize heat absorption.
2. Basking: Ectotherms, such as reptiles, often bask in the sun to increase their body temperature. By exposing themselves to sunlight or other external heat sources, they can warm their bodies.
3. Shading: On the other hand, ectotherms can also seek shade or burrows to lower their body temperature when it becomes too hot.
4. Behavioral thermoregulation: Some ectotherms adjust their activity levels to regulate body temperature. For example, they may become more active during cooler parts of the day and reduce activity during the hottest periods.
5. Physiological adaptations: Some ectotherms have physiological adaptations that help them cope with temperature variations. For instance, certain fish species have the ability to alter blood flow patterns, allowing them to selectively heat or cool specific body regions.
Overall, ectotherms mainly rely on their environment to regulate their body temperature, utilizing behavioral and physiological adaptations to cope with varying temperatures.