Question

The metabolic rate of a frog in summer (at \(35^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) ) is about eight times higher than in winter (at \(5^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) ). Compare and contrast the frog's ability to move, exchange gases, and digest food at the two temperatures. During which season will the frog require more food energy, and why?

Short answer

In summer, a frog's metabolic rate is 8 times higher than in winter, resulting in greater mobility, more efficient gas exchange, and rapid digestion of food. The higher metabolic rate in summer demands more food energy to support increased energy requirements for physiological processes. Therefore, the frog requires more food energy in summer compared to winter due to its higher metabolic rate and increased energy demands for various functions.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the impacts of metabolic rate on the frog's functions

Metabolic rate is the measure of an organism's energy use. It impacts an organism's ability to carry out essential processes such as moving, exchanging gases, and digesting food. A higher metabolic rate enables an organism to be more active but also comes with a higher demand for food energy.

Compare the frog's mobility in summer and winter

In summer, the frog's metabolic rate is 8 times higher than in winter. This means that thefrog can be more active during the summer. Greater mobility allows the frog to move faster and more efficiently in search of food, mates or escaping predators.

Compare the frog's ability to exchange gases in summer and winter

Since metabolic rate is directly related to the energy consumption, a higher metabolic rate in summer requires an increased rate of gas exchange to provide the frog with the higher amounts of oxygen needed for cellular respiration. Thus, the frog will be more efficient in gas exchange in summer compared to winter.

Compare the frog's ability to digest food in summer and winter

During summer, the frog's higher metabolic rate means it can digest food more rapidly and efficiently. A higher metabolic rate accelerates the digestive process and allows the frog to break down food faster and use it as a source of energy for its daily activities.

Determine which season the frog requires more food energy

As the metabolic rate of a frog is higher in summer, it needs more food energy to support its increased energy demand. The higher metabolic rate allows the frog to carry out more physiological processes, which comes with a higher demand for food energy.

Explain why the frog needs more food energy in a particular season

In summer, the frog requires more food energy because its metabolic rate is 8 times higher than in winter. The higher metabolic rate demands higher energy consumption for the frog to maintain its increased level of physical activity, efficient gas exchange, and digestion process. That's why the frog needs to consume more food and has a higher energy requirement in summer compared to winter.

Key concepts

Temperature Effects on Metabolism

Temperature plays a crucial role in the metabolic processes of ectotherms like frogs. Ectotherms rely on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature, which in turn affects their metabolic rate. As temperature rises, chemical reactions in their cells speed up, leading to an increased metabolic rate. This is evident in frogs during the summer when the ambient temperature is around 35°C, their metabolic rate soars to about eight times higher than in the winter when it's a cooler 5°C.

With the rise in metabolism, a frog's body functions more efficiently. These creatures can move with agility, their muscles contracting with more force and speed, which is essential for catching prey or escaping predators. Likewise, bodily functions like gas exchange ramp up since their cells are burning through oxygen at an expedited rate to fuel the escalated metabolic activities. Similarly, digestion becomes more efficient as the enzymes responsible for breaking down food operate optimally at higher temperatures. Consequently, this means frogs must consume more food during warmer months to satisfy their energy needs, as their bodies are in high-energy mode.

Frog Physiology

Understanding frog physiology provides insight into their metabolic changes with temperature fluctuations. Frogs are amphibians with skin that plays a significant role in their respiratory process. In addition to lungs, they can also exchange gases through their moist, permeable skin, which helps them absorb oxygen directly from their environment.

Diving deeper into their biology, frogs' muscle efficiency and digestion are heavily influenced by temperature. In colder conditions, their muscles become less responsive, and their enzymatic activities slow down, leading to reduced mobility and slower digestion. Conversely, in warm environments, such as the summer season at 35°C, their muscles and enzymes function near-optimum levels. This elevated physiological state is not without its challenges – increased activity levels also mean a heightened risk of dehydration or predation due to increased visibility while moving about. Nevertheless, the physiological adaptations of frogs beautifully illustrate their survival strategy of capitalizing on warm temperatures to maximize bodily functions.

Energy Consumption in Ectotherms

Ectotherms, like frogs, use external sources of temperature to manage their bodily functions, which significantly impacts their energy consumption. The balance of energy intake and usage is vital for their survival. During colder months, when metabolic rates drop, ectotherms conserve energy, reducing their food intake and often entering a state of reduced physiological activity, which in some cases can be similar to hibernation.

In contrast, the summer months demand a higher energy intake to support their accelerated metabolic rate. This season represents a time of increased foraging and feeding, enabling ectotherms to build reserves for leaner times. It is also a period of greater reproductive activity, requiring additional energy. The relationship between temperature and energy consumption underscores the fact that ectotherms are intricately tuned to their environments. Their survival depends not just on the availability of food, but on the intricate dance between their metabolic needs and the temperatures that enable them.