Question

Birds and mammals being homeothermic (capable of maintaining constant body temperature) have evolved a mechanism to regulate their metabolic rate. An inverse relationship is observed between metabolic rate and body weight from the plot of the rate of oxygen consumption versus body weight of different mammals. On the other hand, there is the directly proportional relationship between metabolic rate and surface area to volume ratio. From the given figure it is evident that more internal heat per gram of body weight is generated by shrew and more heat is lost to the environment than the horse. Thus maintenance of constant body temperature is more difficult for small animals in cold weather.

What would happen if all the vital organs of an animal are kept at approximately the same temperature?

• A. It could not survive in a desert environment
• B. It sweats excessively and becomes dehydrated in hot weather
• C. Its body temperature is determined by the most temperature-sensitive organ
• D. It must always have a large supply of water
• E. It will be found only on the tundra

Answer 1

The correct option is C Its body temperature is determined by the most temperature-sensitive organ

Mammals and Aves are homeothermic animals, meaning they are capable of maintaining a fairly constant body temperature. They have evolved various mechanisms to do so, sweating and shivering are some of the most common ones. In such animals, the body temperature is determined by the most temperature-sensitive organ, so even if all the organs of an animal are kept at a constant temperature, the body temperature would only be affected by the most temperature-sensitive one.

So, the correct answer is 'Its body temperature is determined by the most temperature-sensitive organ'.