Ask A Scientist Zoology Archive

name         Sofia B.
status       student
age          17

Question -   How does being a cold blooded creature effect the heart
of the animal...such as does it work harder...is it under more
strain...is the structure different...?
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An organism that is a poikilotherm (cold-blooded) takes on the temperature of
its environment instead of using energy to maintain a constant body temp.  As
the organism becomes colder, its entire metabolism slows down.  The heart
will beat more slowly when it is cold.  When it warms up again, the heart
will begin to beat faster.  This is one reason why a drowning victim that is
pulled from cold water can often be revived, because at a certain point, even
our metabolism slows down, the heart beats slower, and less oxygen is used.

vanhoeck
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