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Question #45203
The Question
In polar and high-altitude ecosystems, low temperatures severely inhibit the detritus food chain. Considering the metabolic and ecological constraints in such environments, which of the following statements is INCORRECT?
Options
- A.
Low temperatures and anaerobiosis inhibit decomposition, leading to a build-up of organic matter and reduced nutrient availability for primary producers.
- B.
Small-bodied endotherms are rarely found in these regions because their low surface-area-to-volume ratio accelerates body heat loss, demanding a high mass-specific metabolic rate.
- C.
The reduced primary productivity caused by inhibited nutrient cycling creates a caloric bottleneck that disproportionately threatens organisms with high mass-specific energy budgets.
- D.
To maintain thermal homeostasis, the basal metabolic rate per gram of body weight in a shrew must be strictly higher than that of an arctic fox.
Check Your Answer
Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Comparative_Analysis
Sharpen your ability to evaluate multiple scenarios and distinguish between competing potential answers.
Concepts Behind This Question
Surface-to-Volume Ratio|Metabolic Rate|Endotherms
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot & Word-Play Trap: Students often memorize the biological consequence ('small animals lose heat fast and need high metabolism') but fail to correctly associate it with the mathematical premise (a HIGH surface-area-to-volume ratio).
The trap relies on cognitive load—the student reads the correct consequence in Option B and instinctively accepts the entire statement as true, overlooking the swapped word 'low'.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Organisms and Populations - Class 12 |
| Concept | Allen’s Rule and Surface-to-Volume Ratio |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |