Question

The maintenance of relatively constant internal conditions by an animal is called homeostasis.

With respect to temperature, which of the animal types below engage in homeostasis?

a. endotherms

b. ectotherms (or poikilotherms)

c. both of the above

d. none of the above

Explain your answer.

Answer 1

Ectoderms - They depend mainly on external sources of heat, and their body temperature changes with the surrounding environment. They are called poikilotherms.

Endoderms- They are homeotherms, and can regulate their internal body temperature according to the surrounding environment. The temperature tends to stay steady irrespective of changes in the environment.

Endoderms do this by generating the heat internally. They can increase their metabolic rate to produce more heat when required.

So, correct answer is a) endotherms.