Question

When faced with a sudden drop in environmental temperature, an endothermic animal will ________.

a) Conserve heat
b) Release heat
c) Hibernate
d) None of the above

Answer 1

An endothermic animal will increase muscle activity, such as shivering, to generate heat in response to a sudden drop in environmental temperature. These animals have adaptations like fur, fat, and feathers to help conserve heat.

Step-by-step explanation:

When faced with a sudden drop in environmental temperature, an endothermic animal will increase muscle activity to generate heat. These animals, such as mammals and birds, have adaptations like fur, fat, and feathers that provide insulation to conserve heat. To regulate their body temperature, animals like polar bears and seals use their thick fur and fat layers as insulation against cold environments. Additionally, some animals shiver involuntarily to increase muscle activity and generate heat, while others have arrector pili muscles that cause hairs to stand up to trap more insulating air near the skin.