Question

When faced with a sudden drop in environmental temperature, an endothermic animal will _____. a. experience a drop in its body temper ature b. wait to see if it goes lower c. increase muscle activity to generate heat d. add fur or fat to increase insulation

Short answer

Answer: Increase muscle activity to generate heat.

Step-by-step solution

Definition of Endothermic Animals

An endothermic animal is an organism that can generate heat internally to maintain a constant body temperature despite changes in external temperatures. Examples of endothermic animals include mammals and birds.

Analyzing the Options

We will now analyze each of the given options in the context of an endothermic animal experiencing a sudden drop in environmental temperature. a. Experience a drop in its body temperature - Endothermic animals are known for their ability to maintain a constant body temperature even with changes in the environment, so this option is incorrect. b. Wait to see if it goes lower - This option does not describe any action taken by the animal to deal with the sudden temperature change, so it is also incorrect. c. Increase muscle activity to generate heat - As an endothermic animal, this option seems possible. By increasing muscle activity, the animal can generate more heat to keep its body temperature constant even when faced with a sudden drop in environmental temperature. d. Add fur or fat to increase insulation - While this option could help the animal maintain its body temperature in the long run, it is not a feasible response a sudden drop in environmental temperature.

Choose the Correct Answer

Based on the analysis in step 2, the correct answer is: c. Increase muscle activity to generate heat.