warm-bloodedness

warm-bloodedness

* * *

also called  Homoiothermy,  also spelled  Homeothermy,  

      in animals, the ability to maintain a relatively constant internal temperature (about 37° C [99° F] for mammals, about 40° C [104° F] for birds), regardless of the environmental temperature. The ability to maintain an internal temperature distinguishes these animals from cold-blooded, or poikilothermic, animals, which usually have about the same temperature as their environment. Warm-blooded animals are able to remain active in situations in which cold-blooded ones cannot. Body temperatures of homoiotherms are kept at a constant value by regulatory mechanisms that counteract the effects of the external environment. In cold environments, regulatory mechanisms maintain body temperature by increasing heat production and decreasing heat loss. In hot environments, regulatory mechanisms maintain body temperatures by increasing heat loss. Within a neutral range of several degrees (27° to 31° C [81° to 88° F] for man), neither heat gain nor heat loss is necessary to maintain body temperature.

      Shivering, a regulatory mechanism of many warm-blooded animals, increases heat production. hibernation, another mechanism used by certain warm-blooded animals, decreases heat loss by means of a general slowing-down of bodily functions. panting and perspiring are mechanisms for increasing heat loss.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • warm-bloodedness — warm blooded·ness …   English syllables

  • warm-bloodedness — noun see warm blooded * * * warmˈ bloodˈedness noun • • • Main Entry: ↑warm …   Useful english dictionary

  • warm-bloodedness — noun see warm blooded …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • warm-bloodedness — noun the state of being warm blooded …   Wiktionary

  • warm-blooded — warm bloodedness, n. /wawrm blud id/, adj. 1. Also, endothermic. designating or pertaining to animals, as mammals and birds, whose blood ranges in temperatures from about 98° to 112°F (37° to 44°C) and remains relatively constant, irrespective of …   Universalium

  • Warm-blooded — In biology, a warm blooded animal species is one whose members maintain thermal homeostasis; that is, they keep their body temperature at a roughly constant level, regardless of the ambient temperature. This involves the ability to cool down or… …   Wikipedia

  • bloodedness — noun The quality of having blood of a particular kind, as in warm bloodedness, full bloodedness …   Wiktionary

  • warm-blooded — adjective Date: 1793 1. having warm blood; specifically having a relatively high and constant internally regulated body temperature relatively independent of the surroundings 2. fervent or ardent in spirit • warm bloodedness noun …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • warm-blooded — adj. 1 (of an organism) having warm blood; mammalian (see HOMOEOTHERM). 2 ardent, passionate. Derivatives: warm bloodedness n …   Useful english dictionary

  • warm-blooded — adjective 1》 denoting animals (chiefly mammals and birds) which maintain a constant body temperature by their metabolism; homeothermic. 2》 ardent; passionate. Derivatives warm bloodedness noun …   English new terms dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”