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1.12 analyse information from secondary sources to describe adaptations and responses that have occurred in Australian organisms to assist temperature regulation

analyse information from secondary sources to describe adaptations and responses that have occurred in Australian organisms to assist temperature regulation

Background

Endotherms derive most of their body heat from cell metabolism. Mammals and birds are endothermic animals. Australian endotherms include: the kangaroos and the platypus (temperate regions); the rabbit-eared bandicoot (desert dweller); and the alpine pygmy possum (alpine dweller)

Ectotherms derive most of their body heat from their surroundings. All invertebrates and fish, reptiles and amphibians are ectothermic. Australian ectotherms include the blue-tongued lizard, the green tree frog and barramundi.

Some sites to get you started are:

A land of lizards (external website) University of Texas, Austin, Texas, USA

Alpine Pygmy possum (external website) University of Michigan, Museum of Zoology, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

Thermoregulation (external website) Wikipedia.

You can analyse the information by designing a table like the one below. Describe adaptations or responses of the organisms that assist temperature regulation.

Australian organism Endotherm or ectotherm Adaptation or response to temperature regulation