homeotherm
Definition
- Noun:
- An animal that maintains a relatively constant internal body temperature regardless of the external environmental temperature: A homeotherm is an organism capable of thermoregulation to keep its body temperature within a narrow, stable range.
Usage
- The term "homeotherm" is used in biology and zoology to classify animals, primarily birds and mammals, based on their physiological ability to regulate body heat.
- It is often contrasted with "poikilotherm," an animal whose body temperature varies with its surroundings.
Examples
- Noun:
- Humans, as homeotherms, can remain active in both cold and warm climates.
- The evolution of homeothermy allowed mammals to inhabit diverse environments.
Advanced Usage
- "Homeothermic" (adjective): Describing the characteristic of maintaining a constant body temperature.
- Homeothermic animals have high metabolic rates.
- "Homeothermy" (noun): The condition or phenomenon of being a homeotherm.
- Homeothermy requires significant energy expenditure.
Variants and Related Words
- Endotherm (noun): A more specific term for an animal that generates its own body heat internally, typically through metabolism. All endotherms are homeotherms, but not all homeotherms are strictly endotherms (some use behavioral means).
- Warm-blooded animal (noun, informal): A common, non-scientific synonym for homeotherm.
Synonyms
- Warm-blooded animal
- Endotherm (in specific contexts)
Antonyms
- Poikilotherm
- Cold-blooded animal
- Ectotherm
Noun
-
an animal that has a body temperature that is relatively constant and independent of the environmental temperature
Khám phá thêm
Các từ liên quan
Từ đồng nghĩa
Từ gần giống
Từ chứa "homeotherm"
