Comparative Vertebrate Physiology

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Comparative Vertebrate Physiology

• Metabolism

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Metabolism

• Anabolism plus catabolism
• Measurement
• Basal metabolic rate
• Standard metabolic rate
• Field metabolic rate

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Measurement

• Direct calorimetry
• Measurement of food intake and waste excretion

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Measurement

• Indirect calorimetry
• Measurement of O2 utilization (must know the diet
  of the animal due to R.Q.)

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Respiratory quotient

• Carbohydrates

• Lipids (tripalmitin)

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Factors effecting metabolism

• Food availability (gt 30 days)
• Long term starvation (brooding, wintering)

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Factors effecting metabolism

• Food availability
• Short term starvation (30 days)

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Factors effecting metabolism

• Thermy
• Greatest variation during torpor

Oxygen consumption (ml/g/hr)
Ambient temperature (C)
Ambient temperature (C)
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Factors effecting metabolism

• Activity (greatest factor)

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Factors effecting metabolism

• Body size

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Factors effecting metabolism

• Relationship between metabolic rate and body mass
• Y a massb
• a intercept, b slope

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Factors effecting metabolism

• Ectotherms
• Lizards 2 x m0.85
• Endotherms
• Marsupials 70 x m0.75

marsupials
1000
lizards
100
Log metabolic rate
10
Log body mass
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Factors effecting metabolism

• Mass specific metabolic rate