Cold-blooded animals fall under the category ofa)Psychothermsb)Ectothe...
An ectotherm "outside" and "hot"), is an organism in which internal physiological sources of heat are of relatively small or quite negligible importance in controlling body temperature.] Such organisms (for example frogs) rely on environmental heat sources,which permit them to operate at very economical metabolic rates. Colloquially, some refer to these organisms as "cold blooded" though such a term is not technically correct, as the blood temperature of the organism varies with ambient environmental temperature. Some of these animals live in environments where temperatures are practically constant, as is typical of regions of the abyssal ocean and hence can be regarded as homeothermic ectotherms. In contrast, in places where temperature varies so widely as to limit the physiological activities of other kinds of ectotherms, many species habitually seek out external sources of heat or shelter from heat; for example, many reptiles regulate their body temperature by basking in the sun, or seeking shade when necessary in addition to a whole host of other behavioral thermoregulation mechanisms. For home captivity as pet, reptile owners can use a UVB/UVA light system to assist the animals' basking behaviour.
Cold-blooded animals fall under the category ofa)Psychothermsb)Ectothe...
**Explanation:**
Cold-blooded animals are also referred to as ectotherms. Ectotherms are organisms that rely on external sources of heat to regulate their body temperature. Unlike warm-blooded animals (endotherms), which can generate and maintain a constant body temperature independent of the environment, ectotherms' body temperature fluctuates with the temperature of their surroundings.
**Ectotherms:**
Ectotherms have several adaptations that allow them to survive and thrive under different temperature conditions:
1. **Behavioral Adaptations:** Ectotherms can adjust their behavior to regulate their body temperature. For example, they may bask in the sun to absorb heat or seek shade or burrows to cool down.
2. **Physiological Adaptations:** Ectotherms have physiological mechanisms to cope with temperature changes. They may have specialized cells or tissues that can tolerate extreme temperatures or produce antifreeze compounds to prevent freezing in cold environments.
3. **Metabolic Rate:** Ectotherms have a lower metabolic rate compared to endotherms. This means that they require less energy to maintain their bodily functions, as they do not need to generate heat internally.
4. **Growth and Reproduction:** Ectotherms often have slower growth rates compared to endotherms. They may also exhibit different reproductive strategies, such as laying eggs in a suitable environment where the eggs can develop and hatch without the need for parental care.
**Examples of Cold-Blooded Animals:**
Common examples of cold-blooded animals include reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates like insects and crustaceans. These animals are highly diverse in terms of their habitats, behaviors, and adaptations to different temperature conditions.
In conclusion, cold-blooded animals fall under the category of ectotherms because their body temperature is regulated by external sources of heat, and they exhibit various adaptations to survive and thrive in different temperature environments.