Q40-3TYU. - Campbell Biology

Question

Consider the energy budgets for a human, an elephant, a penguin, a mouse, and a snake. The __________ would have the highest total annual energy expenditure, and the __________ would have the highest energy expenditure per unit mass.

(A) elephant; mouse 

(B) elephant; human 

(C) mouse; snake 

(D) penguin; mouse 

 

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

(A)    The option "elephant; mouse" is Step 1: Expenditure energy.

(B)    The option "elephant; human" is false.

(C)    The option "mouse; snake" is false.

(D)    The option "penguin; mouse" is false.

Step 1: Expenditure energy

Energy expenditure refers to how much energy is expended during physical processes such as breathing, flowing blood, digesting food, and exercising. Calories are used to quantify energy, and a person's total daily energy expenditure is how many calories they burn every day.

Step 2: Explanation of option (A)

Compared to the mouse, which is the smallest animal and requires more energy expenditure to work twice as hard, the elephant, being the largest mammal among others, will require more significant energy expenditure than others because of its size.

Thus, the elephant would have the highest total annual energy expenditure, and the mouse would be the highest per unit mass.

Therefore, the given statement is true.

Step 3: Explanation of option (B)

Elephants have the most significant energy expenditure compared to other organisms because they require more energy to digest food. On the other hand, humans do not have the highest expenditure per unit mass since they are more extensive than mice.

Thus, the elephant is correct, but human is not the right option.

Therefore, the given statement is false.

Step 4: Explanation of option (C)

The mice require more energy expenditure than the other animals since their daily routine is considerably busier. Snake, on the other hand, is bigger than the mouse in size and requires less energy expenditure.

Thus, the snake is an incorrect option for the highest expenditure energy per unit mass.

Therefore, the given statement is false.

Step 5: Explanation of option (D)

Since the penguin is neither smaller than the mouse nor larger than the elephant, it does not need as much energy to perform everyday tasks such as digesting and breathing. Penguins have a considerable average size.

Thus, the penguin is the incorrect option for highest expenditure energy among all others.

Therefore, the given statement is false.