Passage II
When a 13-lined ground squirrel (a mammal) hibernates, it does not eat, and it alternates between periods of torpor (characterized by a reduced rate of metabolism, low body temperature, and little movement) and active bouts (characterized by a normal rate of metabolism, normal body temperature, and normal movement). Figure 1 shows the body temperature of a 13-lined ground squirrel during 12 consecutive months, including several months of hibernation. Figure 2 shows the average total blood cholesterol of a group of 13-lined ground squirrels at various times during the same 12 months.
Figures adapted from Jessica P. Otis et al., "Cholesterol and Lipoprotein Dynamics in a Hibernating Mammal."@2011 by Otis et al.
10. Do 13-lined ground squirrels more likely consume O2 at a greater rate during periods of torpor or during active bouts?
Your Answer is
Correct Answer is H
Explanation
The higher the metabolic rate is, the more O2 is consumed. According to the explanation about torpor in the first paragraph, the metabolic rate is low during this period, and the metabolic rate is normal during active bouts, so O2 is consumed during active bouts 2more, choose H