Question

How could the increasing global temperature associated with climate change impact ectotherms?

a. Ectotherm diversity will decrease in cool regions.

b. Ectotherms will be able to be active all day in the tropics.

c. Ectotherms will have to expend more energy to cool their body temperatures.

d. Ectotherms will be able to expand into new habitats.

Short answer

The correct answer is (d) Ectotherms will be able to expand into new habitats

Step-by-step solution

Step1. Introduction

Animals can be divided into two groups: some maintain a constant body temperature in the face of differing environmental temperatures, while others have a body temperature that is the same as their environment and thus varies with the environment. Animals that rely on external temperatures to set their body temperature are ectotherms

Explanation for correct answer

d. Ectotherms will be able to expand into new habitats.

Ectotherms, body temperature mainly depends on external heat sources. That is, ectotherm body temperature rises and falls along with the temperature of the surrounding environment.

Explanation For Incorrect options

a. Ectotherm diversity will decrease in cool regions.

Some ectotherm maintain a constant body temperature in the face of differing environmental temperatures

b. Ectotherms will be able to be active all day in the tropics.

Some ectotherm have a body temperature that is the same as their environment and thus varies with the environment

c. Ectotherms will have to expend more energy to cool their body temperatures.

Ectotherms rely on behavior to regulate their body temperature. They must move their bodies into the shade or sun to cool down or warm up. This requires less energy than constant metabolic regulation.