Question

Although some sharks close their eyes just before they bite, their bites are on target. Researchers have noted that sharks often misdirect their bites at metal objects and that they can find batteries buried under sand. This evidence suggests that sharks keep track of their prey during the split second before they bite in the same way that

(A) a rattlesnake finds a mouse in its burrow.

(B) an insect avoids being stepped on.

(C) a star-nosed mole locates its prey in tunnels.

(D) a platypus locates its prey in a muddy river.

Short answer

(A) The statement “a rattlesnake finds a mouse in its burrow” isfalse.

(B) The statement “an insect avoids being stepped on” isfalse.

(C) The statement “a star-nosed mole locates its prey in tunnels” isfalse.

(D) The statement “a platypus locates its prey in a muddy river” is true.

Step-by-step solution

Eyes

The eyes are body organs that provide the sense of vision. This sensory organ has different structures in different organisms, and the structural difference also accounts for differences in functioning. Some animals can only detect light of visible spectrum, while some can detect beyond that limit.

Explanation of option ‘(A)’

The rattlesnakes live within burrowed lands and feed on mice and rodents. In order to detect their prey, these animals use heat-sensing organs. The heat waves of the prey body are detected by these heat-sensors and help rattlesnakes find their food.

Thus, rattlesnakes do not use their eyes for detecting their prey in its burrow.

Therefore, the given statement is false.

Explanation of option ‘(B)’

The insects are the most diverse group of animals that are present in the world and are part of the phylum Arthropoda. These organisms have the ability to fly, and they can easily detect motions in the environment due to their compound eyes.

Thus, the compound eyes help insects in avoiding being stepped on.

Therefore, the given statement is false.

Explanation of option ‘(C)’

The star-nosed mole is one of the species of mole specialized by the presence of a star-shaped nose that does facilitate olfaction but is involved in detecting tactile signals. This helps the mole in detecting its prey.

Thus, the star-nosed mole detects its prey due to the tactile sensations detected by the star-shaped nose.

Therefore, the given statement is false.

Explanation of option ‘(D)’

The bills of the platypus have special receptors that help in detecting the electrical signals within water; this signal helps the platypus in understanding the location of its prey even with closed eyes. Sharks also use a similar system and detect electrical signals emitted by nearby organisms to locate their prey.

Thus, both platypus and sharks have similar mechanisms for detecting their prey.

Therefore, the given statement is true.