Ectothermic
Ectothermic
Ectothermic (pronounced: ek-toe-ther-mik) is a term used in the field of Biology to describe organisms that rely on external sources of heat to regulate their body temperature. The term is derived from the Greek words "ektos" meaning "outside" and "thermos" meaning "heat".
Etymology
The term "Ectothermic" is derived from the Greek words "ektos" (ἐκτός), meaning "outside", and "thermē" (θέρμη), meaning "heat". It was first used in the late 19th century to describe the temperature regulation mechanisms of certain animals.
Definition
Ectothermic organisms, also known as cold-blooded animals, are those that rely on environmental heat sources, as opposed to metabolic heat, to regulate their body temperature. This is in contrast to endothermic organisms, which are capable of generating heat internally to maintain a stable body temperature.
Examples
Examples of ectothermic organisms include reptiles, amphibians, fish, and most invertebrates. These organisms often inhabit environments where the temperature is relatively stable, as they are unable to generate sufficient heat internally to maintain a stable body temperature.
Related Terms
- Endothermic: Refers to organisms that generate heat internally to maintain a stable body temperature.
- Homeothermic: Refers to organisms that maintain a constant body temperature regardless of the external environment.
- Poikilothermic: Refers to organisms whose body temperature varies with the temperature of their environment.
- Thermoregulation: The process by which an organism maintains its body temperature within certain boundaries.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Ectothermic
- Wikipedia's article - Ectothermic
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