Endothermy

Endothermy is the maintenance of body temperature through internally generated metabolic heat. It allows an animal to sustain body temperatures that are partly independent of ambient temperature.

Basal metabolic rate: The rate of energy expenditure of an awake, resting animal under defined conditions. It reflects the baseline metabolic energy available for heat production.
Thermoregulation: The physiological and behavioral control of an organism’s body temperature. Endothermy is one way thermoregulation can be achieved.
Torpor: A temporary state of reduced metabolic rate and body temperature in an animal. Some endotherms conserve energy by temporarily reducing heat production.
Behavioral thermoregulation: The regulation of body temperature through choices such as basking, sheltering, or changing posture. Behavior can regulate temperature without relying chiefly on metabolic heat.
Non-shivering thermogenesis: Heat production without muscle contractions, often driven by specialized adipose tissue. It generates heat without the visible muscle activity of shivering.
Ectothermy: A thermal strategy in which body temperature depends chiefly on external heat sources. It contrasts with the internal metabolic heat central to endothermy.
Hibernation: A prolonged seasonal state of reduced metabolism and body temperature in certain animals. It shows how endotherms can suspend costly temperature regulation for extended periods.
Regional endothermy: The maintenance of elevated temperatures in particular body regions rather than throughout the body. Some animals generate internal heat locally instead of warming their entire bodies.
Brown adipose tissue: A mitochondria-rich fat tissue that produces heat through uncoupled cellular respiration. Its uncoupling protein converts stored fuel into heat rather than ATP.
Homeothermy: The maintenance of a relatively stable body temperature over time. Endothermy concerns heat source, while homeothermy concerns temperature stability.

Linked from 28 pages