Final answer:
The idea that ectothermy is an inferior type of metabolism is false; it is simply a different strategy that animals use to regulate body temperature, with its own set of benefits. Ectotherms use environmental heat while endotherms produce metabolic heat.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'Ectothermy is an inferior type of metabolism' is false. Ectothermy and endothermy are two different strategies for regulating body temperature in animals, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Ectotherms, such as reptiles and amphibians, rely on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature. They can survive with much less food than endotherms because they have a slower metabolic rate that doesn't produce much heat. This allows them to go longer periods between meals, which can be beneficial in environments where food is scarce. Endotherms, like mammals and birds, generate heat metabolically, allowing them to maintain a constant body temperature, which helps their cells function efficiently and remain active regardless of external temperatures. However, this requires more energy and, therefore, more food.