September 21, 2001
Effects of Size and Temperature on Metabolic Rate
Key Points
- This research aims to develop a model to explain how temperature and body mass influence metabolic rates across different organisms.
- Developed a model based on biochemical kinetics and allometry.
- Analyzed metabolic rates of microbes, ectotherms, endotherms, and plants across temperatures from 0 to 40 degrees C.
- Compared mass- and temperature-compensated resting metabolic rates among various organisms.
- Identified that metabolic rates of unicellular organisms and plants are approximately a factor of 20 lower than those of endothermic vertebrates.
- Showed temperature and body size significantly affect biological time.
- Found resting metabolic rates are similar when compensated for mass and temperature across all examined organisms.
Abstract
We derive a general model, based on principles of biochemical kinetics and allometry, that characterizes the effects of temperature and body mass on metabolic rate. The model fits metabolic rates of microbes, ectotherms, endotherms (including those in hibernation), and plants in temperatures ranging from 0 degrees to 40 degrees C. Mass- and temperature-compensated resting metabolic rates of all organisms are similar: The lowest (for unicellular organisms and plants) is separated from the highest (for endothermic vertebrates) by a factor of about 20. Temperature and body size are primary determinants of biological time and ecological roles.
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Authors
J
James F. Gillooly
University of Florida
James H. Brown
Brigham Young University
G
Geoffrey B. West
Santa Fe Institute
Journals
Science
Actions
Institutions
Los Alamos National Laboratory
University of New Mexico
Santa Fe Institute
References and Citations
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