HOMOIOTHERMY Meaning and
Definition
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Homoiothermy is a biological term that refers to the ability of an organism to maintain a relatively constant internal body temperature, regardless of changes in the external environment. The term is often used in the context of warm-blooded animals, such as mammals and birds, who are able to regulate their body temperature to remain within a narrow range, typically around 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit).
Unlike poikilothermic animals (like reptiles and amphibians) whose body temperature fluctuates with the surrounding environment, homoiothermic organisms possess various physiological mechanisms to generate and retain heat. These mechanisms include internal heat production through metabolic processes and efficient insulation through features like fur, feathers, or fat layers.
The ability to maintain a constant body temperature is crucial for homoiothermic animals as it allows them to effectively function in a variety of environments and climates. It provides them with advantages such as better endurance, quicker reaction times, and improved cognitive functioning. Additionally, homoiothermy enables these organisms to occupy and adapt to diverse habitats that may experience temperature fluctuations.
Homoiothermy is an important characteristic of mammals and birds, enabling them to thrive in environments that could be challenging for other organisms. It has played a crucial role in the evolutionary success of these creatures and is considered a defining feature of endothermic animals.
Common Misspellings for HOMOIOTHERMY
- gomoiothermy
- bomoiothermy
- nomoiothermy
- jomoiothermy
- uomoiothermy
- yomoiothermy
- himoiothermy
- hkmoiothermy
- hlmoiothermy
- hpmoiothermy
- h0moiothermy
- h9moiothermy
- honoiothermy
- hokoiothermy
- hojoiothermy
- homiiothermy
- homkiothermy
- homliothermy
- hompiothermy
- hom0iothermy
Etymology of HOMOIOTHERMY
The word "homoiothermy" is derived from the combination of two Greek roots: "homoios" meaning "similar" or "alike", and "thermos" meaning "heat" or "temperature". The term was coined in the field of biology to describe a physiological characteristic of certain organisms, particularly mammals and birds, which maintain a relatively constant internal body temperature regardless of the surrounding environmental conditions.
