Question

Are humans poikilotherms?

Answer 1

Poikilotherms

1. Poikilotherms or cold-blooded animals are those that are unable to regulate the internal body temperature and are dependent on the environment to regulate it.
2. These animals don't have an internal temperature regulation mechanism so they use their outside environments to achieve the goal such as basking in the sun.
3. Examples include crocodiles, snakes, tortoises, etc.

Homeotherms

1. The animals that are able to maintain a constant internal body temperature irrespective of the outer environment are called homeotherms or warm-blooded animals.
2. They have a very narrow range of temperature changes.
3. Birds (Aves) and Mammals are examples of homeotherms.

Humans

1. The human body is able to regulate the internal body temperature independently from that of the outer environment.
2. The internal temperature is regulated within a very specific range of 36.1^oC to 37.2^oC (97^oF to 99^oF).
3. Any deviation from this range is catastrophic for the body.
4. Thus, humans are not poikilotherms. They are homeotherms or warm-blooded organisms.