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With the drop in temperature, certain creatures enter a latent state and go into hibernation. Diapause, on the other hand, is a state of dormancy most commonly seen in insects in which the insect's growth is temporarily halted. Several species lay dormant in order to survive periodic adverse situations such as environmental changes, paucity of food, temperature variations, and so on. It is a state in which the organism's body has little or no metabolic activity.
Dormancy is a transitory state in which an animal's physical activity, growth, and development are put on hold. This allows the organisms to preserve energy by remaining basically dormant or sleeping during the hard period. The type of dormancy differs amongst organisms.
Key Terms: Hibernation, Diapause, Temperature, Dormancy, Insects, Species, Organisms, Growth and Development, Polar Bears
What is Diapause?
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Diapause is a common occurrence in insects during their early stages of development. It's a condition in which an organism's development comes to a halt due to a decrease in metabolic activity. It is a phase in which the development of growing organisms is halted. It can happen at any stage of the insect's development, but it's most common during the pupa stage.
Diapause
Diapause occurs when the body's production of growth hormones begins to decline. It is thus similar to hibernation, but it is distinguished by a pause in the organism's developmental stages.
Diapause is seen in insects like monarch butterflies and in the embryos of several oviparous fish species.
What is Hibernation?
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Hibernation is a state in which the organism's body has the least amount of metabolic activity. Hibernation is a seasonal state marked by low body temperature, reduced cardiac activity, and a reduced metabolic rate, among other things. During the winter, it can be seen in some endotherms. Hibernating creatures enter a state that resembles profound slumber during this period, lowering their metabolism and burning less energy.
Hibernation
Hibernation causes the body to slow down its respiration, temperature, and other critical actions that consume energy. It is primarily a response by organisms' bodies to a lack of food and a cold environment. It might last anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Groundhogs, for example, hibernate for the most part. Polar bears, bats, ground squirrels, and other animals are examples. Animals must consume as much food as possible in order to hibernate. They eat more and store more fat, which is then broken-down during hibernation to allow them to survive.
It can be found in mammals such as the California pocket mouse, kangaroo mouse, bears, bats, squirrels, some bird species, and some reptiles.
Difference between Diapause and Hibernation
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The difference between Diapause and Hibernation is as follows:
| Diapause | Hibernation |
|---|---|
| Diapause is a transitory state of dormancy indicated by a pause in the growth and development of an organism, most commonly an insect. | Hibernation is the process by which an organism's metabolic activity slows down in order to tolerate harsh temperatures, most commonly during the winter. |
| It occurs both in the summer and winter, implying that it can occur at any time of year. | Hibernation occurs as a consequence of severe environmental circumstances and food scarcity, which is especially prevalent during the winter. |
| It is a latent period in an organism's feeding and development. | In adult endothermic creatures, it is a condition of inactivity. |
| The temperature does not drop as much, but the amount of free water decreases. | In hibernation, the temperature is lower than in diapause, and it might drop to 0 ° C. There is no adaptation with free water. |
| The primary cause for an insect's diapause is that the species' development is postponed in order to survive in unfavorable conditions, such as a lack of growth hormones due to day and night patterns. | Hibernation, on the other hand, is primarily intended to help animals survive hard winters by putting them into a deep sleep and slowing down the pace at which the body loses energy. |
Things to Remember
- Diapause is a transitory state of dormancy indicated by a pause in the growth and development of an insect.
- Diapause is exclusively seen in insects.
- Diapause is most commonly seen during the pupa stage of the insect.
- Hibernation is the state in which the organism's body has the least amount of metabolic activity.
- Hibernation is most commonly seen in mammals such as bats, polar bears, ground squirrels etc.
- Animals consume a lot of food in order to hibernate. They eat more and store more fat, which is then broken-down during hibernation to allow them to survive.
Sample Questions
Ques. What Induces Diapause? (2 Marks)
Ans. Diapause arises as a consequence of the commencement of the unfavorable state. Diapauses are induced by adverse circumstances like temperature and day length changes, food scarcity, and so on.
Ques. When Does Diapause Eventuate? (3 Marks)
Ans. Diapause occurs regardless of climate. It happens both in the summer and in the winter. Because it primarily happens during the formative stages of insects, it can happen at any time of year. The paucity of growth hormones is more essential than climatic circumstances in the onset of diapause. In insects, it is most common during the pupa stage of development.
Ques. What if a Hibernating Animal is Awakened Suddenly? (3 Marks)
Ans: Hibernating animals are completely unaware of their environment. They are in a profound slumber stage when they save as much energy as possible to survive the tough climatic circumstances and paucity of food. They have a slower metabolic rate and a lower body temperature. As a result, it is almost impossible to rouse an animal from its slumber without endangering its life. As a result, waking up a hibernating animal is the same as killing it.
Ques. Choose the correct option- When a bear hibernates, its
A. Body temperature decreases.
B. Heart rate decreases.
C. Breathing rate slows down.
D. All of the above (2 Marks)
Ans. (D) – All of the above
Ques. Why are raccoons and skunks not considered as true hibernators? (2 Marks)
Ans. During the winter, raccoons and skunks may be found hibernating. They sleep in their den during the coldest and snowiest weather. They are not regarded as true hibernators because they will occasionally emerge on less severe days to seek for food.
Ques. Which insects show diapause? (2 Marks)
Ans. Diapause is seen in zooplanktons and insects. Among insects, diapause is majorly seen in flesh fly, tobacco hornworm and the Southwestern corn borer and many other arthropods.
Ques. Which creature has the longest diapause period? (2 Marks)
Ans. The Prodoxus Y-inversus, a moth found in the United States and South Western New Mexico, has the longest diapause ever recorded. It can be dormant for up to 19 years.
Ques. What are the stages of Diapause? (2 Marks)
Ans. There are 6 stages of diapause. Namely:
- Induction
- Preparation
- Initiation
- Maintenance
- Termination
- Post-diapause quiescence
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