homotherm
Definition
- Noun:
- An animal that maintains a relatively constant internal body temperature regardless of the surrounding environmental temperature. This is a biological term for organisms capable of thermoregulation, such as mammals and birds.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The robin is a homotherm, allowing it to remain active during cold winters.
- Scientists study the metabolic rates of the homotherm to understand energy conservation.
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in comparative physiology and ecology to contrast with poikilotherms (animals whose body temperature varies with the environment).
- The evolutionary advantage of being a homotherm includes greater independence from habitat temperature constraints.
Variants and Related Words
- Homothermic (adj): Relating to or characteristic of a homotherm.
- Homothermic animals have high metabolic rates.
- Homeotherm (n): A synonym for homotherm, more commonly used in modern scientific literature.
- Endotherm (n): A closely related term emphasizing internal heat production.
Synonyms
- Warm-blooded animal: A common, non-technical synonym.
- Homeotherm: The more frequently used scientific synonym.
- Endotherm: Specifically highlights internal metabolic heat generation.
Related Phrases and Concepts
- Thermoregulation: The process that allows a homotherm to maintain its constant temperature.
- Effective thermoregulation is a key trait of a homotherm.
- Poikilotherm: An antonym; an animal whose body temperature fluctuates with the environment (e.g., a lizard).
Noun
-
an animal that has a body temperature that is relatively constant and independent of the environmental temperature
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