Metabolic rates change in response to ambient temperatures. Which of these might
ID: 187043 • Letter: M
Question
Metabolic rates change in response to ambient temperatures. Which of these might be predicted to be observed relative to this?
a) Larger animals might be expected to have higher rates of metabolic increase per temperature shift than smaller, due to overall higher metabolic rates
b) Smaller animals might be expected to have higher metabolic rate shifts than large, due to higher surface area to volume ratio
c) Metabolic rate increases would be expected to increase at a constant rate across all ambient temperatures
d) Animals that engage in thermal homeostasis (i.e., homeotherms) would be predicted to not show altered metabolic rate relative to ambient temperature
e) None of the above are likely correct
Explanation / Answer
ANSWER is: b) Smaller animals might be expected to have higher metabolic rate shifts than large, due to higher surface area to volume ratio.
EXPLANATION:
Smaller animals might be expected to have higher metabolic rate shifts than large, due to higher surface area to volume ratio. Small animal has more body higher surface area to volume ratio of metabolizing tissue. As animals exchange heat with their environment across their body surfaces and small animals lose heat to a cool environment faster than large animals. So smaller anima need more energy and a higher metabolic rate to maintain a constant internal temperature