Effects of size and temperature on metabolic rate

Authors

James Gillooly
James Brown
Geoffrey West
Van Savage
Eric CharnovFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-21-2001

Abstract

We derive a general model, based on principles of biochemical kinetics and allometry, that characterizes the effects of temperature and body mass on metabolic rate. The model fits metabolic rates of microbes, ectotherms, endotherms (including those in hibernation), and plants in temperatures ranging from 0 to 40C. Mass - and temperature - compensated resting metabolic rates of all organisms are similar: The lowest (for unicellular organisms and plants) is separated from the highest (for endothermic vertebrates) by a factor of about 20. Temperature and body size are primary determinants of biological time and ecological roles.

Publisher

Science

Volume

293

First Page

2248

Last Page

2251

Language (ISO)

English

Keywords

allometry, temperature, body size, metabolic rate

Recommended Citation

Gillooly, J.F., J.H. Brown, G.B. West, V.M. Savage and E.L. Charnov. 2001. Effects of size and temperature on metabolic rate. Science 293:2248-2251