Thermoregulation
The ability of an organism to maintain its body temperature within certain boundaries, even when the surrounding environment temperature is different. A key aspect of homeostasis.
Used in the Books
This term appears in 4 chapters:
"...nt environments. Ectotherms (Cold-Blooded): The desert iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis) maintains 100°F (38°C) body temperature using behavioral thermoregulation: - Morning: Basks on dark rocks (absorb heat) - Midday: Seeks shade (prevent overheating) - Afternoon: Shuttles between sun and shade (fine-tune temp..."
"A whale twice as long has 8× the mass but only 4× the skin surface area for heat exchange. The result: very large animals struggle with thermoregulation. Blue whales at their current size stand near what many biologists consider the theoretical maximum for marine mammals."
"...ion**: Many organisms behaviorally regulate temperature (basking in sun, retreating to shade, huddling for warmth) rather than evolving physiological thermoregulation. Behavioral thermoregulation constructs a buffered thermal niche, reducing selection for physiological adaptations (e.g., insulation, metabolic heat ..."
"But those adaptations became irrelevant - or harmful - when the asteroid struck. Large body size had been advantageous for competition and thermoregulation. Suddenly it became a liability: larger animals need more food, and food had disappeared. Specialization proved equally fatal."
Biological Context
Endotherms generate internal heat; ectotherms rely on external sources. Thermoregulation involves behavioral (seeking shade, basking) and physiological (shivering, sweating, vasoconstriction) responses. Maintaining optimal temperature is crucial because enzyme function is temperature-dependent.
Business Application
Organizational thermoregulation: maintaining stable internal conditions despite market volatility. Some companies are 'endothermic'—generating their own stability through reserves and diversification. Others are 'ectothermic'—fluctuating with market conditions.