User:Bio-m77/Homeothermy
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Homeothermy or homoiothermy (from Greek ὅμοιος homoios "similar" and θέρμη thermē "heat") is a form of thermoregulation in which an organism maintains a constant internal body temperature despite external temperature fluctuations.[1][2][3][4] Homeothermy often results in an organism's internal body temperature being higher than the surrounding environment, but this is not always the case.[4] Homeotherms are often endothermic, but there are also several forms of ectothermic homeotherms.[1][2] Many ectothermic homeotherms live in areas with stable external temperatures (such as some tropical fish which live in stable coral reefs).[1][2]
Homeothermy likely evolved as a response to nocturnal lifestyles 200-66 million years ago.[5] Homeotherms can use many different forms of physiological or behavioral thermoregulation in order to maintain a constant body temperature, including but not limited to: vasodilation/vasoconstriction, muscle contractions, burrowing, migration, sweating/panting, piloerection, and non-shivering thermogenesis.[2][4][6][7] Poikilothermy is the opposite of homeothermy, and both have particular advantages and disadvantages which can help the organism survive and function effectively in their environment.[1][2]