Question

1) Below is a graph of the metabolic rate (kcal/day) as a function body mass for five groups of species. Study the plot carefully and look to see the axes are log scale. Check the units of the axes and then answer the following questions. a) What is the metabolic rate (in watts) of a non-passerine bird of 200 g? b) What group has the highest metabolic rate at a giving body mass? c) What is the metabolic rate (in watts) of a 0.5 kg lizard &t 37°C ? d) How much greater is the metabolic rate (in watts) of a 10 g passerine bird than of a 10g lizard at 37°C. Please answer as a ratio. i.e. A statement such as the mebolic rate of the bird is X times greater/less than the lizard? e) What is the answer if the comparison is between a 1 kg passerine bird and a 1 kg lizard at 37°C ? How does this compare with your answer in c. What do you make of the difference? 1) If oxidizing one mole of glucose yields 673 kilocalories, how long could a 10 g and 1 kg passerine bird survive, assuming cach has energy stores equal to 10% of their body mass in glucose. What would be survival time for lizards at 10 g and I kg

Answer 1

a. 17.445 watts per hour (1-watt hour = 1.163 Kcal)

b. passerine birds have the highest metabolic rate than others.

c. 4.652 Watt-hour is the metabolic rate of a 0.5 kg lizard at 37 degree celsius.

d. The ratio of 10g passerine bird to 10g lizard: 25:3

e. The ratio of 1kg passerine bird to 1kg lizard: 25:2