Chapter 14, Problem 1E

Explain why lizards become sluggish in cold weather. How is this phenomenon related to chemistry?

Interpretation Introduction

To determine:

The phenomenon related to chemistry why lizards become sluggish in cold weather?

Answer to Problem 1E

Solution:

Lizards become sluggish in cold weather because they are ectotherms whose body temperature depends on their surroundings.

Explanation of Solution

Lizards become sluggish in cold weather because they are ectotherms and their body temperature depends on their surroundings, so when they are in a colder environment their body gets colder. When they get cold they become lethargic and unable to move very quickly.

If you splash with cold water, a lizard’s body gets colder. The drop-in body temperature slows down the lizard because its movement depends on chemical reactions that occur within its muscles, and the rates of those reactions—how fast they occur—are highly sensitive to temperature.

The drop-in body temperature immobilizes the lizards because their movement depends on chemical reactions that occur within their muscles, and the rates of those reactions how fast they occur are highly sensitive to temperature. So, when the temperature drops, the reactions that produce movement in the lizards occur more slowly; therefore, the movement itself slows down.

Conclusion

Lizards become sluggish in cold weather because they are ectotherms whose body temperature depends on their surroundings.