Question

Black fur emits more body heat to the colder surroundings than white fur does. Which of the following does NOT help explain why the Arctic fox has white fur rather than black fur? (A) Black fur emits heat more than white fur does, so an animal with black fur would lose its body heat more quickly than an animal with white fur. (B) Black fur would make it easier for the fox's prey to spot the fox coming and escape. (C) Black fur provides an excellent contrast with the white background of the Arctic snow. (D) White fur blends in with the fox's snowy surroundings better than black fur, helping the fox hide from predators.

Short answer

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Step-by-step solution

Read and understand the statements.

Read each statement carefully and try to understand the reasoning behind each explanation. Pay attention to whether the statements help explain why Arctic foxes have white fur over black fur. Step 2: Analyze statement (A)

Analyze statement (A)

(A) states that black fur emits heat more than white fur does, so an animal with black fur would lose its body heat more quickly than an animal with white fur. This statement suggests that the Arctic fox has white fur to conserve body heat in the cold Arctic environment. This reason supports the fact that the Arctic fox has white fur instead of black fur. Step 3: Analyze statement (B)

Analyze statement (B)

(B) states that black fur would make it easier for the fox's prey to spot the fox coming and escape. This statement suggests that the Arctic fox has white fur for better camouflage while hunting, making it harder for its prey to detect and escape. This reason also supports the fact that the Arctic fox has white fur. Step 4: Analyze statement (C)

Analyze statement (C)

(C) states that black fur provides an excellent contrast with the white background of the Arctic snow. This statement actually supports the opposite of what we are trying to find; it supports why an Arctic fox would not have black fur over white fur. Since this statement also emphasizes the importance of camouflage but contradicts the fact that the Arctic fox has white fur, this could potentially be the answer. Step 5: Analyze statement (D)

Analyze statement (D)

(D) states that white fur blends in with the fox's snowy surroundings better than black fur, helping the fox hide from predators. This statement supports the idea that an Arctic fox has white fur to hide from predators and protect itself while living in the Arctic environment. This reason also supports the fact that the Arctic fox has white fur.

Conclusion

After analyzing the statements, we can see that statement (C) does NOT help explain why the Arctic fox has white fur rather than black fur. Therefore, the correct answer is (C).

Key concepts

GED Test Preparation

Preparing for the General Educational Development (GED) test, particularly the science component, can be a daunting task. A strong understanding of core scientific principles, their applications, and the ability to analyze and interpret information are essential. To excel in the GED science test, focus should be placed on practicing various types of questions, especially those concerning biology since it's a significant part of the science curriculum.

Practice questions on topics like animal adaptation are particularly useful. They test comprehension of how organisms have evolved traits to survive and thrive in their environments. As seen in the textbook exercise, ability to discern relevant information and eliminate incorrect options is critical. This not only aids in test-taking skills but enhances your understanding of biological systems and their interactions with the environment. By regularly engaging with such practice questions and reviewing explanations for answers, students can significantly improve their performance on the GED science test.

Biology Concepts

The study of biology encompasses a wide range of concepts, one of which is the principle of animal adaptation. Adaptation refers to the genetic changes that occur in a species over time, allowing individuals to better survive in their habitat. This change can be in response to various environmental factors, such as temperature, predation, food availability, and more.

Understanding adaptations involves examining both the physiological changes in organisms and the behavioral strategies they develop to cope with their surroundings. For instance, the Arctic fox's white fur explained in the textbook exercise is an adaptation to the cold environment and for camouflage in the snowy habitat. Comprehending how these changes support survival is a critical part of learning biology. It also illuminates broader concepts of evolution and the interconnectedness of life on Earth.

Animal Adaptation

Animal adaptation is a fascinating area of biology that involves how animals alter their behavior, physiology, and even physical attributes to better fit their environment. The Arctic fox, as discussed in the exercise, has evolved to have white fur as an adaptation for several key reasons.

• Camouflage - The white fur allows the fox to blend into the snowy background, making it less visible to both prey and predators.
• Heat Conservation - Light-colored fur reflects more sunlight, which may help the animal remain cooler in the summer but also conserves body heat in winter compared to darker fur that readily absorbs heat.

By studying animal adaptations, students not only learn about the survival strategies of specific species but also gain insights into the evolutionary process. Adaptations are prime examples of natural selection at work, showcasing how traits that confer an advantage in survival and reproduction tend to be passed down through generations.