Question

Based on the graph, how much greater is the energy cost of flying for an animal that weighs 10^-3 g than for an animal that weighs 1 g? For any given form of locomotion, which travels more efficiently, a larger animal or smaller animal?

Short answer

Following the graphical data, the energy cost of any animal with a bodyweight of 10^-3 g is approximately 10 times greater than the energy cost for any animal with 1 g body weight. A larger animal travels more efficiently for any form of locomotion.

Step-by-step solution

Locomotion

One of the characteristic features of animals is their ability to move from one region to another, either in search of food or shelter. This ability to move around in their habitat or from one habitat to another is denoted as locomotion. The musculoskeletal system facilitates locomotion.

Types of locomotion

The mechanism of locomotion is different for different groups of animals. Some animals locomote at the land surface, and their type of locomotion is walking or running, such as mammals. The locomotory mechanism of animals surviving within the water is termed swimming, such as fishes.

The third type of locomotion is seen in members of class Aves; they locomote in the air and do so by flying. Thus, there are three broad types of locomotion: walking/running, flying, and swimming.

Interpretation of the experimental data

The data of the experiment for all three modes of locomotion and different animals were noted and represented in graphical form.

The graphical analysis suggests that the energy cost of any animal with a bodyweight of 10^-3g is 10²cal/(kg - m), while that of any animal with a weight of 1 g is 10 cal/(kg - m). Thus, the animal with 10^-3g body weight has around 10 times greater energy cost of locomotion when compared with an animal of 1 g weight.

The traveling efficiency will be better for any form of locomotion in the case of large animals as their energy cost is smaller.