Question

Why do animals in cold regions have a layer of fat below their skin?

Answer 1

Answer:

animals in cold regions have thick layer of fat below their skin because it protects them from cold and helps them to be warm.

Answer 2

The presence of fat beneath the skin of animals living in cold regions helps them to maintain normal body temperature.

Explanation:

• Fat present underneath the skin has a large concentration of adipocyte cells.
• The adipocytes store huge amount energy in them in the form of lipid.
• This adipose or fat tissue layer acts as an insulator and prevents the loss of body heat from inside the body to the surrounding.
• This keeps the temperature inside the body optimal for metabolic reactions to occur.
• This also prevents hypothermia, that is, loss of heat  from the body to the surrounding at a rate much higher than the rate at which heat is generated inside the body.
• Hence, the fat allows animals to survive and withstand the cold environment.