Meaning
变温 refers to organisms whose body temperature varies with the environmental temperature, commonly known as cold-blooded animals. It literally means 'changing temperature' and is used in biological contexts to describe animals like reptiles, fish, and amphibians that cannot regulate their body temperature internally.
Usage
Primarily used in scientific and educational contexts when discussing animal physiology. The full term is often 变温动物 (biàn wēn dòng wù) meaning 'cold-blooded animals.' Native speakers typically use this term in biology classes or nature documentaries rather than everyday conversation.
Examples
- 01蛇是变温动物，需要晒太阳来调节体温。, .Snakes are cold-blooded animals and need to bask in the sun to regulate their body temperature.
- 02与哺乳动物不同，鱼类属于变温脊椎动物。, .Unlike mammals, fish are cold-blooded vertebrates.
Characters
Common collocations
- 变温动物cold-blooded animals
- 变温性poikilothermy
Antonyms
Origin
A modern compound formed from 变 (change) + 温 (temperature), created as a scientific term to translate the biological concept of poikilothermy from Western biology.