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Discuss the Advantages and Disadvantages of being Ectothermic and Endothermic in the Vertebrates. Introduction: Vertebrates occupy a wide variety of habitats all over the world from the freezing poles to the heat of hot desserts. In order to survive in these areas all vertebrates have adapted to regulate their body temperature, because temperature affects biochemical reactions. Organisms have been described as "bags of chemicals catalysed by enzymes". Although narrow, this emphasises that organisms are highly influenced by the rate at which chemical reactions, and hence vital life processes, occur. At low temperatures the rate of diffusion can be so low that essential functions cease and the organism dies. Below freezing point the cells may freeze and the cell structure destroyed by ice formation. Above 45oC enzymes become denatured and cease to function, again the organism dies. Therefore, if vertebrates did not regulate their body temperature they would be unable to survive...

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