Home > Biology > Endotherm vs. Ectotherm

What is the difference between an ectotherm and an endotherm?

Answer 1

Ectotherm and endotherm words are applied to vertebrate animals. Endothermic organisms are able to maintain a steady and specific body temperature; but body temperature in ectothermic organisms fluctuate.

Mammals and birds are endothermic.

(Homeostasis is a state of dynamic equilibrium of internal environment of the body, which could be achieved through autonomous nervous control and hormonal coordination.)

There is no thermal homeostasis in ectothermic organisms.

Amphibians and reptiles are ectothermic.

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.