Endothermic animals are capable of generating heat
Most mammals and birds are endothermic
Also called “warm blooded”
Exothermic animals are incapable of generating heat, and thus must warm themselves by other means
Reptiles, fish, and amphibians are exothermic
Also called “cold blooded”
Plants primarily require light and water for survival
Winter conditions make both of these resources more scarce, so plants in colder climates will adapt to colder weather by going dormant: slowing their metabolic rate, and slowing or even halting energy production
This is almost similar to hibernation
When temperatures rise, plants will emerge from dormancy and begin to grow again
The Skunk Cabbage is one exception to the rule
Like endotherms, Skunk Cabbage has the ability to generate it’s own heat, enabling it to melt the snow surrounding it, and thus allowing it to reach more sunlight
This process of self-heating is called thermogenesis
Known Properties of Skunk Cabbage:
Most mammals and birds are endothermic
Also called “warm blooded”
Reptiles, fish, and amphibians are exothermic
Also called “cold blooded”
Plants primarily require light and water for survival
Winter conditions make both of these resources more scarce, so plants in colder climates will adapt to colder weather by going dormant: slowing their metabolic rate, and slowing or even halting energy production
This is almost similar to hibernation
When temperatures rise, plants will emerge from dormancy and begin to grow again
The Skunk Cabbage is one exception to the rule
Like endotherms, Skunk Cabbage has the ability to generate it’s own heat, enabling it to melt the snow surrounding it, and thus allowing it to reach more sunlight
This process of self-heating is called thermogenesis
Known Properties of Skunk Cabbage:
1.It can heat itself, just like an endotherm
2.When it’s disturbed it releases a putrid smell that protects it from harm
Known Properties of Skunks:
1.They are mammals, and therefore endotherms
2.When they are disturbed they release a putrid smell to protect themselves from harm…
Thermogenesis is an uncommon but not rare phenomenon
Other plants that use thermogenesis include the dead-horse arum lily, the elephant yam, and the carrion flower (also known as the corpse flower)
Most of these plants are tropical, and so you wouldn't think they would need to make their own heat
The process of thermogenesis helps to create the rancid smell of these flowers, which attracts pollinators such as flies and bees
The Skunk Cabbage is not a warm blooded plant
Work Cited:
2.When it’s disturbed it releases a putrid smell that protects it from harm
Known Properties of Skunks:
1.They are mammals, and therefore endotherms
2.When they are disturbed they release a putrid smell to protect themselves from harm…
Might they have magical hidden qualities that connect them?
Thermogenesis is an uncommon but not rare phenomenon
Other plants that use thermogenesis include the dead-horse arum lily, the elephant yam, and the carrion flower (also known as the corpse flower)
Most of these plants are tropical, and so you wouldn't think they would need to make their own heat
The process of thermogenesis helps to create the rancid smell of these flowers, which attracts pollinators such as flies and bees
The Skunk Cabbage is not a warm blooded plant
Work Cited:
Caduto, Michael. "Skunk Cabbage: Blooming Heat." Center for NorthernWoodlands Education. Northern Woodlands Magazine, 10 Mar. 2014. Web. 27 Mar. 2017.
Evangeli, Anna. "What Happens to Plants in Winter?" ABC - Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 10 June 2014. Web. 27 Mar. 2017.
"Journey with Nature: Skunk Cabbage." About Skunk Cabbage. Journey with Nature Skunk Cabbage, n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2017.
"National Snow and Ice Data Center." Snow and Plants. National Snow and Ice Data Center, n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2017.
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