Birds

Description

Survival stratergies
Adam Heywood
Mind Map by Adam Heywood, updated more than 1 year ago
Adam Heywood
Created by Adam Heywood over 6 years ago
45
3

Resource summary

Birds
  1. Water loss
    1. REWL (Respiratory evaporative water loss)
      1. Birds lack sweat glands - rely on REWL for thermoregulation
        1. Gullar Fluttering
          1. Rapid movement of flaps in the throat to increase evaporation
        2. TEWL (Transepidermal evaporative water loss)
          1. Bird skin permeable, allows moisture through. Not very waterproof
        3. Water Gain
          1. Drinking
            1. opportunistic - not always available
              1. Specialist drinking capabilities
                1. Ostrich
              2. Metabolic water
                1. 5 - 10 times higher in than in invertebrates and reptiles
                2. Diet
                  1. Can feed on a high water content species of plants
                    1. Ostrich
                  2. Water re-absoprtion
                    1. Nasal salt glands
                      1. Produce concentrated salt solutions which is then excreted via the nose - 800 - 900mOsmol
                  3. Small Birds = Evaders
                    1. Sand Grouse
                      1. Males carry water to the nest over long distances
                        1. Soaks specialised breast feathers
                          1. Can carry 40ml of water over long distance
                          2. Keeps chicks away from the habitats of predators
                        2. Larks
                          1. Dunn's Lark (ARABIAN DESERT)
                            1. Annual rainfall - 90mm
                              1. Air temperature in July = 40C
                              2. Sky Lark/ Woodland Lark (NETHERLANDS)
                                1. Annual rainfall - 750mm
                                  1. Air temperature in July = 22C
                                  2. Mesic VS Xeric (balanced vs extreme)
                                  3. Higher Metabolic rate, higher body temperature
                                  4. Stratergies to reduce water loss
                                    1. Avoid the extremes of hot and arid deserts
                                      1. Migration
                                        1. If small, able to evade the heat - Larger birds must endure (ostrich)
                                        2. Nitrogenous waste
                                          1. Urine
                                            1. Avian Nephrons
                                              1. Reptilian type - Lack loops of Henle
                                                1. Mammalian type = short and sometimes long loops of henle - better at reducing waste
                                                2. Production of uric acid
                                                  1. Uricoetylic
                                                3. Renal Function
                                                  1. Reabsorption of water occurs in the colon and cloaca - post renal re-absorption
                                              2. Large Birds = Endurers
                                                1. Ostrich
                                                  1. Largest living bird - flightless
                                                    1. Reduced levels of urination and urine volume
                                                      1. Urine more concentrated than blood plasma (x2.7 plasma)
                                                      2. Only expires 75% saturated air via REWL
                                                        1. Water saving per day - 200 - 500ml per day
                                                          1. Effective Nasal counter-current flow allows this
                                                          2. Large and enhanced nasal salt glands
                                                          3. Lowered metabolic rates, lowered body temperature
                                                          Show full summary Hide full summary

                                                          Similar

                                                          Biology AQA 3.1.3 Cells
                                                          evie.daines
                                                          Biology AQA 3.2.5 Mitosis
                                                          evie.daines
                                                          Biology AQA 3.1.3 Osmosis and Diffusion
                                                          evie.daines
                                                          Biology- Genes, Chromosomes and DNA
                                                          Laura Perry
                                                          Biology- Genes and Variation
                                                          Laura Perry
                                                          GCSE Biology AQA
                                                          isabellabeaumont
                                                          Cells And Cell Techniques - Flashcards (AQA AS-Level Biology)
                                                          Henry Kitchen
                                                          Cell Structure
                                                          megan.radcliffe16
                                                          GCSE Biology - Homeostasis and Classification Flashcards
                                                          Beth Coiley
                                                          Exchange surfaces and breathing
                                                          megan.radcliffe16
                                                          Key Biology Definitions/Terms
                                                          courtneypitt4119