ectothermy
Sun-dependent body temperature
Ectothermy is the biological condition of regulating body temperature primarily through external heat sources rather than internal metabolism.
Reptiles, amphibians, and fish are ectothermic—they bask in sunlight to warm up and seek shade to cool down.
The older term "cold-blooded" is misleading, since ectotherms aren't necessarily cold; they simply depend on their environment for thermal regulation.
Unfeeling or externally heated
- baskingWarming oneself pleasantly
- metabolicOf bodily chemistry
- body temperatureInternal heat level
- ambientOf the surroundings
conduction · convection · radiation · evaporation · heat exchange · acclimatization · torpor · hibernation
Four-legged scaled reptile
- snakeLimbless scaled reptile
- turtleShell-encased reptile
- tortoiseLand-dwelling shelled reptile
- crocodileLarge semiaquatic tropical reptile
alligator · gecko · iguana · chameleon · python · cobra · viper · rattlesnake
Tailless leaping amphibian
- salamanderTailed, moist-skinned amphibian
- newtSmall aquatic salamander
- toadWarty terrestrial amphibian
- tadpoleImmature aquatic amphibian
metamorphosis · aquatic · terrestrial · hibernation · estivation · gills · herpetology · vocalization
Six-legged arthropods
- arachnidsEight-legged invertebrates
- crustaceansExoskeleton-bearing aquatic arthropods
- mollusksSoft-bodied invertebrates, often shelled
- arthropodsJointed-limb invertebrates
Study of biological energy
- basal metabolic rateMinimum energy for survival
- energy conservationUnchanging total in closed systems
- respirationGas exchange in organisms
- enzymaticInvolving biological catalysts
oxidation · glycolysis · mitochondria · ATP · efficient · metabolic depression · energy storage
Localized atmospheric zone
cold-blooded
Unfeeling or externally heated
- baskingWarming oneself pleasantly
- metabolicOf bodily chemistry
- body temperatureInternal heat level
ambient · conduction · convection · radiation · evaporation · heat exchange · acclimatization · torpor · hibernation · dormancy
lizard
Four-legged scaled reptile
crocodile · alligator · gecko · iguana · chameleon · python · cobra · viper · rattlesnake · terrapin
frog
Tailless leaping amphibian
- salamanderTailed, moist-skinned amphibian
- newtSmall aquatic salamander
- toadWarty terrestrial amphibian
tadpole · metamorphosis · aquatic · terrestrial · hibernation · estivation · gills · herpetology · vocalization · tropical
insects
Six-legged arthropods
- arachnidsEight-legged invertebrates
- crustaceansExoskeleton-bearing aquatic arthropods
- mollusksSoft-bodied invertebrates, often shelled
bioenergetics
Study of biological energy
- basal metabolic rateMinimum energy for survival
- energy conservationUnchanging total in closed systems
- respirationGas exchange in organisms
enzymatic · oxidation · glycolysis · mitochondria · ATP · efficient · metabolic depression · energy storage
microclimate
Localized atmospheric zone