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Question #46170
The Question
Adult lampreys (Class Cyclostomata) utilize a suctorial, circular mouth devoid of jaws, equipped with keratinized teeth to rasp host tissue during ectoparasitism. If a metabolic mutation occurs in a lamprey population, resulting in the secretion of salivary proteases with a significantly lower activation energy (Ea) and a lower Michaelis constant (Km) for host muscle proteins, which of the following physiological adaptations or trade-offs is most likely to occur?
Options
- A.
A compensatory hypertrophy of the cartilaginous cranium to support increased mechanical laceration.
- B.
A reduced evolutionary reliance on the mechanical rasping action of the keratinized teeth due to enhanced extracellular catalytic efficiency.
- C.
An obligatory shift to intracellular digestion within the buccal cavity to maximize enzyme-substrate collisions.
- D.
A decrease in the overall rate of tissue digestion, necessitating prolonged attachment to the host fish.
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
Petromyzon|Enzyme Activation Energy Lowering|Cyclostomata Dentition
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Bridging Animal Kingdom morphology (Cyclostomata dentition) with Biomolecules (Enzyme kinetics).
The trap relies on students understanding that mechanical digestion (teeth) and chemical digestion (enzymes) are inversely compensatory; highly efficient enzymes reduce the need for mechanical surface-area maximization.
Students often fail to link Km and Ea to macroscopic feeding behaviors.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Animal Kingdom - Class 11 |
| Concept | Cyclostomata Dentition |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |