Torpor

Definition

Torpor is a state of decreased physiological activity in animals, characterized by reduced metabolism, body temperature, and physiological functions. It allows animals to conserve energy during periods of limited food availability or harsh environmental conditions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Torpor can be daily or seasonal, with hibernation being an extended form of torpor.
2. Animals such as bats, hummingbirds, and some rodents commonly enter torpor.
3. During torpor, an animal's heart rate and respiratory rate significantly decrease.
4. Environmental cues like temperature and food scarcity trigger the onset of torpor.
5. Torpor differs from sleep as it involves a more profound reduction in metabolic activities.

Review Questions

• What physiological changes occur in an animal during torpor?
• How does torpor benefit animals in terms of energy conservation?
• Which environmental factors typically trigger the onset of torpor?

Related terms

Hibernation: An extended form of torpor lasting for weeks or months, allowing animals to survive long periods of cold and food scarcity.

Estivation: A period of dormancy similar to hibernation that occurs during hot and dry conditions to avoid heat stress and dehydration.

Metabolism: The set of life-sustaining chemical reactions in organisms that includes processes for converting food into energy.