Final answer:
The term for the process of temporarily dropping body temperature to match the environment for part of the day is called daily torpor. It is a strategy for conservation of energy and is distinct from controlled hypothermia, which is induced for medical procedures. These processes are tied to circadian rhythms that regulate various physiological functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of temporarily dropping body temperature to the temperature of the environment for part of the day is called daily torpor.
This is a strategy used by some animals to conserve energy.
The term torpor refers to a state of decreased physiological activity in an animal, usually characterized by a reduced body temperature and metabolic rate.
Daily torpor is an adaptation that allows animals to survive periods when food is scarce or to save energy during the cooler parts of the day.
In contrast, controlled hypothermia is an induced medical state where a person's or organ's body temperature is lowered to reduce metabolic rates for medical purposes, such as during surgery.