AustralianEndothermic &

EctothermicOrganisms

▌Introduction All organisms, despite if they are aquatic or terrestrial

– they need to be able to live within the temperature range of their local environment.

There are organisms that have limited ability to control their temperature and these organisms are called ectotherms. Some examples of ectotherms are plants, all invertebrates, fish and reptiles.

While in the other hand, there are organisms that have the ability to control their temperature and these organisms are called endotherms. A example of a endotherm is you & me! ♥

Syllabus Dot Point • compare responses of named Australian ectothermic

and endothermic organisms to changes in the ambient

temperature and explain how these responses assist

temperature regulation.

The following Syllabus Dot Point will be outlined;

▌Ectotherms1. Magnetic termites (Amitermes meridionalis) are a species of

eusocial insects in the family Termitidae. (Wikipedia, 2014)– These termites pack the walls of their mounds with insulating wood pulp and

align their mounds north-south to maximize exposure to the sun. – They do this in the mornings and evenings as air would be cooler, so to

minimize exposure during the heat of the day.

▌Ectotherms1. Magnetic

2. Bogong moths (Agrotis infusa) are a temperate species of night-flying moths. – They are able to avoid their bodies freezing by supercooling their tissues. – This process involves reducing the temperature of body fluids below their

usual point of freezing and as a result, ice crystals do not form and destroy the cells.

(Charles Sturt University, 2014)

▌Endotherms1. Magnetic

2. d

3. Red Kangaroo (Macropus rufus) is the largest terrestrial mammal native to Australia as well as the largest extant marsupial.– In hot conditions, the red kangaroo licks the inside

of its paws, where skin is thinner, and blood supply is closer to surface.

– This is so that heat can be easily dumped to the outside. Evaporation from saliva promotes the loss of heat from the blood.

(Charles Sturt University, 2014)

1. Magnetic2. D3. d

4. Bandicoot is a group of 20 species of small to medium-sized, terrestrial marsupial omnivores in the order Peramelemorphia.– The large ears of the rabbit-eared bandicoot provide a large surface area to

pass excess heat when it is burrowing during the heat of day and when it is active at dusk.

(Charles Sturt University, 2014)

▌Endotherms

Our Bibliography Electronic Resources http://hsc.csu.edu.au/biology/core/balance/

9_2_1/921net.html http://nsb.wikidot.com/2-1-8-compare-responses-of-

named-australian-ectothermic-and http://www.cix.co.uk/~argus/Dreambio/

homeostasis/ectotherms%20and%20endotherms.htm

http://www.travelnt.com/en/darwin-and-surrounds/things-to-do/magnetic-termite-mounds

www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amitermes_meridionalis http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandicoot

Hardcopy Resources Mudie, K., Brotherton, J., Andrews, C. and

Sanders, Y. (2000). Heinemann biology. Port Melbourne: Heinemann.