Cited by 3,810Physiological and biochemical adaptationsEvolution and Paleontology Studiesthermodynamics and calorimetric analyses

Effects of Size and Temperature on Metabolic Rate

Gillooly, James F., Brown, James H., West, Geoffrey B., Savage, Van M., Charnov, Eric L.·2001·Science

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 40°C. 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.

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Crossref · 10.1126/science.1061967

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  • Body mass and temperature are primary determinants of metabolic rate.

    “Body mass and temperature are primary determinants of metabolic rate (Gillooly et al., 2001).”

    From Allometric scaling of mammalian metabolism (2005) · cites this paper as Gillooly et al., 2001

  • Hemmingsen (1960) included unicellular organisms and poikilothermic vertebrates, expanding the range of body masses to 18 orders of magnitude, and also supported an exponent of 3/4.

    “Hemmingsen (1960) included unicellular organisms and poikilothermic vertebrates, thereby expanding the range of body masses to 18 orders of magnitude, and also supported an exponent of 3/4 (a similar approach with a similar result was recently presented by Gillooly et al., 2001).”

    From Allometric scaling of mammalian metabolism (2005) · cites this paper as Gillooly et al., 2001

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Authors
Gillooly, J. F., Brown, J. H., West, G. B., Savage, V. M., & Charnov, E. L.
Affiliations
  • University of New Mexico (US)
  • Santa Fe Institute (US)
Corresponding author
Gillooly, James F.
Venue
Science
Published
2001-09-21
Volume
293
Issue
5538
Pages
2248-2251
ISSN
  • 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
  • 1095-9203
OpenAlex
W2147690605
Cited by
3,810
References
11
Citations by year
2026: 176 · 2025: 211 · 2024: 230 · 2023: 218 · 2022: 247 · 2021: 229 · 2020: 248 · 2019: 234 · 2018: 215 · 2017: 206 · 2016: 198 · 2015: 184 · 2014: 169 · 2013: 146 · 2012: 156
FWCI
32.58
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Science (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • UNM’s Digital Repository (University of New Mexico) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Physiological and biochemical adaptations
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Paleontology › Evolution and Paleontology Studies
  • Physical Sciences › Chemistry › Physical and Theoretical Chemistry › thermodynamics and calorimetric analyses
Keywords
metabolic rate, body mass, temperature effects, allometry, biochemical kinetics, resting metabolic rate, hibernation, endotherms, ectotherms, microorganisms, plants, biological time
MeSH terms
Amphibians, Animals, Basal Metabolism, Body Constitution, Body Temperature, Body Weight, Carbon Dioxide, Fishes, Longevity, Mammals, Mathematics, Models, Biological, Oxygen Consumption, Plants, Reptiles, Species Specificity, Temperature, Fractals

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