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Question #46199
The Question
Birds possess pneumatic bones and an extensive air sac system that supplements continuous unidirectional pulmonary ventilation. During sustained flight, the pectoralis muscles exhibit an exceptionally high metabolic rate, predominantly utilizing the malate-aspartate shuttle for maximum ATP yield. If a structural anomaly restricts the extension of air sacs into the pneumatic bones without altering primary lung perfusion, which of the following represents the most immediate physiological consequence?
Options
- A.
Immediate shift to anaerobic glycolysis leading to lactic acid accumulation in the pectoralis muscles.
- B.
Rapid onset of hyperthermia due to the failure to dissipate metabolic heat generated by high-throughput oxidative phosphorylation.
- C.
Decrease in ATP yield per glucose molecule due to a forced transition from the malate-aspartate to the glycerol-3-phosphate shuttle.
- D.
Alveolar collapse (atelectasis) due to the loss of continuous positive airway pressure provided by the pneumatic system.
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
Pneumatic Bones|Double Respiration|Mitochondrial Shuttles
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Students often restrict the function of avian air sacs and pneumatic bones strictly to 'buoyancy' and 'supplemental respiration' (as per basic NCERT lines), ignoring their vital role in internal thermoregulation.
Furthermore, Option D exploits a common anatomical misconception by using mammalian terminology ('alveoli') for avian lungs ('parabronchi').
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Animal Kingdom - Class 11 |
| Concept | Thermoregulation logic |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |