Unit 8.2 - Responses to the Environment

Organisms use energy to grow and reproduce.

Metabolic rate is how fast an organism uses energy

Smaller organisms usually have a higher metabolic rate per body mass than larger ones. That means small animals burn through energy faster.

If an organism gains more energy than it uses (net gain), it can store energy or grow.

If it loses more energy than it gains (net loss), it can lose mass or even die.