Comparative Studies Have Repeatedly Shown That Smaller Animals Have Faster

question 14

Multiple Choice

Comparative studies have repeatedly shown that smaller animals have faster metabolic rates than larger animals.However,human males are larger than human females,yet men have a higher average basal metabolic rate (BMR) than women.Which of the following statements explains this variation in the pattern?

• A) Men typically weigh more than women; when standardized for body weight, the average BMR is identical for both genders.
• B) The large average body size of men reduces the ratio of surface area to volume; body systems elevate their metabolic rates to compensate for the change.
• C) Different tissues have different metabolic rates; the male body has a higher percentage of energy-consuming muscle than the female body.
• D) Compared with women, men have larger digestive systems, ingest more food per meal, and metabolize food at a higher rate to maintain body weight homeostasis.