Behavioral Biology Concepts

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary mechanism described for motivated behavior in the given context?

Habitual learning

Cognitive appraisal

Positive reinforcement

Negative feedback (correct)

In what environmental condition do rats in proestrus perform better?

A fluctuating environment

An unstable environment

A colder environment

A warmer environment (correct)

How does body temperature vary throughout the day according to the content?

Remains constant

Fluctuates drastically every hour

Is higher in the morning

Is higher in the afternoon (correct)

What change in body weight is noted with the seasons?

Body fat increases in fall and decreases in spring Signup and view all the answers

What limitation is mentioned regarding the concept of homeostasis?

It does not account for complete constancy Signup and view all the answers

Why might animals increase body fat in the fall?

To prepare for potential food shortages in winter Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a bodily function that exhibits variability instead of constancy?

Body temperature Signup and view all the answers

What is the main outcome of motivated behavior as described?

To relieve disturbances Signup and view all the answers

What physiological mechanism do humans primarily use to cool themselves when the air temperature is higher than their body temperature?

Evaporation Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the body's ability to cool itself when the air is both humid and hot?

Evaporation of sweat is hindered. Signup and view all the answers

What risk occurs if a person sweats without adequately replacing lost fluids?

Dehydration Signup and view all the answers

Which mechanism operates to increase body heat in a cold environment?

Shivering Signup and view all the answers

What influences the body to sweat less as a means of protecting water levels?

Dehydration Signup and view all the answers

How does the body protect itself when facing high temperatures and limited fluid intake?

By reducing sweating Signup and view all the answers

What is a key factor for proper thermoregulation during sweating?

Humidity level Signup and view all the answers

What average daily energy expenditure do young adults have, which underscores the importance of thermoregulation?

2600 kilocalories Signup and view all the answers

How do twitch muscle fibers respond to cold temperatures?

By becoming less active to avoid fatigue Signup and view all the answers

What defense strategy do lizards adopt on very cold days?

Fighting their predators instead of fleeing Signup and view all the answers

What behavior do emperor penguin chicks exhibit to survive Antarctica's winter?

They huddle together to increase insulation Signup and view all the answers

How do spectacled eiders maintain their warmth during the winter?

By congregating in large groups Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of temperature on birds and mammals in terms of activity levels?

They maintain readiness for vigorous activity regardless of temperature Signup and view all the answers

Why do species like eiders consume a great deal of food during winter?

To support a high metabolism for sustained activity Signup and view all the answers

What happens to lizards when they retreat from a predator in cold temperatures?

They either run slowly or become aggressive Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following strategies is NOT employed by species to cope with cold temperatures?

Becoming lethargic and inactive Signup and view all the answers

What role do physiological mechanisms have in body temperature regulation?

They work together with behavioral mechanisms to maintain constant body temperature. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a behavioral mechanism for temperature regulation?

Finding a cooler place Signup and view all the answers

How does the body respond physiologically to maintain temperature?

Through mechanisms like sweating and shivering Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the POA/AH in body temperature regulation?

It integrates sensory input regarding body temperature. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately reflects the relationship between physiological and behavioral mechanisms?

They complement each other to address temperature regulation. Signup and view all the answers

What temperature response is commonly triggered by the body in cold conditions?

Shivering to generate heat Signup and view all the answers

Which factor indicates a failure in one of the temperature regulation mechanisms?

The body exhibiting unregulated temperature fluctuations Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a physiological mechanism involved in temperature regulation?

Locating a sunlit area Signup and view all the answers

What type of thirst is triggered by eating salty foods?

Osmotic thirst Signup and view all the answers

How do gerbils primarily gain water?

Through the moisture in their food Signup and view all the answers

What adaptation do animals like gerbils have to conserve water?

Ability to excrete dry feces Signup and view all the answers

What is the fixed concentration of solutes in mammalian body fluids?

0.15 M Signup and view all the answers

What physiological mechanism activates when there is a deviation from the set point of solute concentration?

Fluid retention mechanisms Signup and view all the answers

What happens when humans cannot find enough water to drink?

They excrete more concentrated urine Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following behaviors is typical of desert animals to reduce water loss?

Burrowing to escape heat Signup and view all the answers

Which animal adaptation involves having convoluted nasal passages?

To minimize water loss during exhalation Signup and view all the answers

What physiological process occurs after drinking water to signal when to stop?

The digestive system absorbs water and circulatory system delivers it to the brain. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of angiotensin II in the body?

To constrict blood vessels and trigger thirst. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes hypovolemic thirst from osmotic thirst?

Hypovolemic thirst involves restoring lost salts, whereas osmotic thirst focuses on water restoration. Signup and view all the answers

During the drinking process, how long does it normally take for the body to signal fullness?

15 minutes or more after drinking. Signup and view all the answers

What triggers the sensation of thirst in relation to the blood pressure?

Receptors detecting blood pressure in large veins. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the physiological state of low blood volume that leads to thirst?

Hypovolemic thirst. Signup and view all the answers

What could happen if one continues to drink water beyond the point of physiological need?

The body could face an overload of liquids and fail to absorb them. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of allostasis in regulating thirst?

It prepares the body to anticipate future hydration needs. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Internal Regulation (Chapter 9)

Life is defined by coordinated chemical reactions, all of which are well-regulated in living organisms.
Chemical reactions in the body occur in water solutions, at rates influenced by molecular type, concentration, and temperature.
Organisms maintain suitable chemical proportions and temperature.

Chapter Outline

Module 9.1: Temperature Regulation: Covers homeostasis, allostasis, and controlling body temperature.
Module 9.2: Thirst: Discusses mechanisms of water regulation, osmotic thirst, and hypovolemic thirst.
Module 9.3: Hunger: Explores hunger mechanisms, digestion, food selection, and eating disorders.

Learning Objectives

Students should be able to list examples of how temperature regulation influences behaviors.
Students should be able to explain the energy cost of maintaining a consistently high body temperature.
Students should be able to describe the advantages of a moderate fever in fighting infections.
Students should be able to distinguish between osmotic and hypovolemic thirst, and describe the relevant brain mechanisms.
Students should be able to describe physiological factors influencing hunger and satiety.

Temperature Regulation

Male garter snakes release female pheromones upon emerging from hibernation to attract larger males, which warm them by swarming.
Birds stand on one leg to conserve body heat in cold weather; vultures defecate on their legs for cooling.
The size of a toucan's bill is linked to temperature regulation; it directs blood flow to the beak for cooling.
Australian thick-tailed geckos huddle to increase insulation during rapid temperature fluctuations.
Japanese giant hornets are killed by honeybees forming a heated ball around them to raise the temperature to a lethal level for the hornet.

Homeostasis and Allostasis

Homeostasis maintains body variables within a fixed range.
Biological processes use negative-feedback systems similar to a thermostat to regulate temperature.
Allostasis is an adaptive process that anticipates needs for behavioral control to maintain bodily variables.

Brain Mechanisms (controlling body temperature)

Preoptic area/anterior hypothalamus (POA/AH) integrates body temperature information from receptors in the skin, organs and hypothalamus, initiating responses like sweating/shivering.
The POA/AH also receives inputs from the immune system, which influences fever development.
Individuals without the appropriate receptors for chemicals like prostaglandins and histamine won't develop a fever, even during illness.

Fever

A fever is an elevated set point.
Fever helps combat infections by hindering bacterial growth and promoting immune system activity.

Thirst

Individuals need appropriate water balance for chemical reactions and normal blood pressure.
Osmotic thirst: Occurs when solute concentration outside cells rises, drawing water out of cells and activating thirst mechanisms.
Hypovolemic thirst: Arises from decreased blood volume due to bleeding or dehydration caused by sweating. It involves hormonal responses such as the release of vasopressin and angiotensin II, prompting thirst and changes in salty preferences.

Hunger

Organisms have various eating strategies.
Oral factors influence eating: Taste and chewing are important and are crucial signaling to satiety
Short-term and long-term feeding regulation: The brain regulates eating based on stomach and intestinal distension, blood glucose levels, body fat reserves, and hormones.
Glucose, insulin, and glucagon: Regulate the flow of glucose into cells, influencing hunger levels.
Leptin: A hormone produced by fat cells that signals the brain about overall body energy levels, regulating long-term energy balance.
Eating disorders: Bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa are characterized by disordered eating patterns.

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Description

Test your knowledge on key concepts in behavioral biology, including motivated behavior, environmental influences on performance, and seasonal changes in body weight. This quiz covers various aspects such as body temperature variability and the limitations of homeostasis in animals.