Biology 2601A/B Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Thermal Conductivity, Thermoregulation, Germination
Document Summary
A measure of the speed or intensity of the random motion of molecules which all atoms and molecules undergo at a molecular scale. Moreover, the temperature of a substance is proportional to the product of the mean square speed of random molecular motions and molecular mass. Temperature -> intensity of motion by the atoms in the object. Heat -> the amount of energy in the object. Temperature determines the direction of heat transfer (hot -> cold) Many processes are involved in the loss of heat. Most biological activities occur between 0 to 100 degrees celsius. 15: developmental threshold for many insects and plants. 53. 6: highest recorded body temp of a metazoan. >100: some hot springs bacteria still going strong. Ectotherm: rely on external temperatures to determine their body temperature. Regional endothermy/heterothermy: different body temperature in different parts of the body. Heterotherms: have more than one termperature set point, or switch between homeo- and poikilothermy.