Temperature and Heat in Ecology
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Questions and Answers

What is temperature?

  • The weight of a substance.
  • A measure of the average kinetic energy of molecules. (correct)
  • A measure of heat energy in grams.
  • The speed of sound in a substance.

    • What is heat energy referred to as?

  • Kinetic energy of molecules (correct)
  • Temperature
  • Thermal energy (correct)
  • Potential energy

    • What do dryas flowers do?

    They use the parabolic shape of their flowers to concentrate solar energy on their reproductive structures.

    Why is temperature important to organisms?

    <p>Temperature influences rates of chemical reactions that control essential processes like photosynthesis and respiration.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do macroclimate and microclimate interact?

    <p>Macroclimate interacts with the local landscape to produce microclimatic variation in temperature.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes macroclimate from microclimate?

    <p>Macroclimate is the prevailing weather conditions in a region over a long period, while microclimate is climatic variation over shorter distances and periods.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What factors influence microclimate?

    <p>Altitude, aspect, vegetation, color of the ground, and presence of boulders.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why are temperatures usually cooler at higher elevations?

    <p>Because atmospheric pressure decreases with elevation, causing expanding air to cool, and there is less atmosphere to trap heat.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does aspect play in microclimates?

    <p>Aspect determines how much sunlight different areas receive, affecting temperature and moisture levels.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do vegetation and ground color affect microclimates?

    <p>Plants create shaded areas, and different ground colors can absorb or reflect heat variably.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of boulders and animal burrows on microclimate?

    <p>Boulders create warmer air pockets, while burrows maintain more moderate temperatures.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the main reasons for thermal stability in aquatic environments?

    <p>Water has a high specific heat capacity and additional factors like its molecular structure.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How much energy is required to heat 1 cm³ of water by 1°C?

    <p>1 calorie</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Temperature and Heat

    • Temperature: Measures average kinetic energy of molecules in a substance.
    • Heat: Describes the kinetic energy within a mass of a substance.

    Dryas Flowers

    • Dryas flowers have a parabolic shape to concentrate solar energy on reproductive structures.
    • Insects warm themselves on these flowers, aiding pollination.

    Importance of Temperature

    • Temperature influences chemical reaction rates, crucial for processes like photosynthesis and respiration.
    • Organisms are adapted to a specific temperature range for optimal functioning.

    Climate Interactions

    • Macroclimate: Long-term weather conditions in a region.
    • Microclimate: Short-term climatic variation occurring over small scales influenced by local landscape features.

    Influences on Microclimate

    • Factors include altitude, aspect (direction faced), vegetation, ground color, and presence of boulders.
    • Water and soil characteristics limit temperature fluctuations in aquatic environments and animal burrows.

    Altitude and Temperature

    • Cooler temperatures at higher elevations due to decreased atmospheric pressure and reduced air density.
    • Less atmosphere at higher elevations means decreased heat retention.

    Aspect and Microclimates

    • Topography creates shaded and sunlit areas; north-facing slopes in the Northern Hemisphere are cooler and moister.
    • Southern Hemisphere follows a similar pattern with southern aspects receiving less sunlight.

    Vegetation and Microclimates

    • Plants provide shade, creating cooler microclimates; vegetation types can significantly affect local thermal environments.

    Ground Color Effects

    • Different ground colors, such as white or black sand beaches, create varying microclimatic conditions.

    Boulder and Burrow Impacts

    • E.B. Edney’s research showed stones can create significant temperature differences; Ligia oceanica thrived under stones at higher temperatures compared to open air.
    • Animal burrows typically feature moderated temperatures compared to surface conditions.

    Aquatic Temperature Stability

    • Water's high specific heat contributes to thermal stability, absorbing much heat without significant temperature changes.
    • It requires significantly more energy to heat water compared to an equal volume of air, leading to consistent aquatic temperatures.

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    Description

    This quiz explores the concepts of temperature and heat, emphasizing their roles in ecological interactions. Understand how temperature affects biological processes and the relationship between microclimates and macroclimates.

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