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Poikilotherm for Dummies

noun


What does Poikilotherm really mean?

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Hey there, kiddo! So, you're asking about the word "poikilotherm," huh? Well, it sounds like a pretty big and complex word, but don't worry, I'll break it down for you in the simplest way possible!

Okay, imagine you're a little fishy swimming around in the deep blue sea. You know how your body temperature changes depending on the temperature of the water, right? Sometimes it's warm, and sometimes it's a bit chilly. Well, that's exactly what being a poikilotherm means!

A poikilotherm is a living creature that can't control its own body temperature like we humans can. Instead, their body temperature changes depending on the environment they're in. It's like they're taking a cue from the world around them and adjusting their body temperature accordingly.

Now, poikilotherms can be found in all sorts of cool animals that you might see around you, like frogs, reptiles (like snakes, lizards, and turtles), and even some insects. They are like the ultimate chill squad of the animal kingdom, going with the flow and adapting to whatever temperature nature throws at them.

But wait, there's more! There's another definition of poikilotherm that we should talk about. In a different context, poikilotherm can refer to something called a "variable reactor." It's a fancy way of saying that the thing or system reacts to changes in temperature. It's kind of like how a thermometer reacts when the temperature goes up or down - it shows you the changes happening around it.

So, to sum it all up, being a poikilotherm means that an animal can't regulate its own body temperature and instead adjusts it depending on the environment. It's like being a fishy in the sea or a frog hopping around lily pads. And in another sense, it could mean that something reacts to changes in temperature, just like a thermometer.

I hope that clears things up for you, buddy! If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. Learning new words can be tricky, but together we can tackle any challenge!

Revised and Fact checked by Jack Taylor on 2023-10-28 15:39:02

Poikilotherm In a sentece

Learn how to use Poikilotherm inside a sentece

  • A lizard is a poikilotherm because its body temperature changes with the surrounding environment. When it is sunny, the lizard can warm up and move quickly, but when it is cold, the lizard becomes slower and less active.
  • Fish are poikilotherms as they do not have the ability to regulate their body temperature. When the water is warm, fish become more active and swim faster, but in colder water, their movements slow down.
  • Turtles are another example of poikilotherms. They bask in the sun to warm up and increase their body temperature. This helps them become more alert and agile.
  • Frogs are poikilotherms that rely on the environment to control their body temperature. They can often be seen sitting in the sun to warm themselves up and hopping into the shade to cool down.
  • Snakes are also poikilotherms because their body temperature varies with the surroundings. They often hide under rocks or in burrows to keep cool, and come out to sunbathe when they need to warm up.

Poikilotherm Synonyms

Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.

Poikilotherm Hypernyms

Words that are more generic than the original word.