Temperature and the Effects it has on Metabolic Rate in Endotherms and Ectotherms

Abstract

Temperature has a direct relationship with metabolic rate in animals. Endotherms and ectotherms are both affected by cold temperatures, while endotherms increase their metabolic rate because of increased activity to stay warm; ectotherms decrease their metabolic rate because of low environmental temperatures. Endotherms have to the ability to regulate their internal temperatures even if the surrounding environment changes. Ectotherms on the other hand, have internal temperatures that fluctuate with the surrounding environments. We measured the O2 consumption by decreasing the temperature in the environment in which they were being tested in.