Question

Frogs have a low RBC count because they are

• A. endotherms
• B. ectotherms
• C. homeotherms
• D. mesotherms

Answer 1

The correct option is B ectotherms

Animals can be classified based on their mechanism of thermoregulation. Endotherms are organisms that are capable of generating heat. For example: mammals and birds. Ectotherms obtain heat from their surrounding environment. For example: fishes, amphibians, reptiles etc. Mesotherms are animals that use a strategy intermediate to endotherms and ectotherms for the regulation of their body temperature. For example: Tuna, lamnid sharks, the leatherback sea turtle, and some species of bee.
Homeotherms maintain a constant body temperature regardless of the temperature of the environment.
As frog is an ectotherm, it does not require to generate heat to regulate its temperature unlike endotherms. Endotherms need to generate heat to maintain constant body temperature. The generation of heat requires a lot of oxygen and removal of carbon dioxide. Oxygen is transported to all the cells of body by the haemoglobin present inside RBC. Hence the total number of red blood cells will be high in endotherms when compared to ectotherms to maintain a constant body temperature.