Among these choices, the least reliable indicator of an animal's metabolic rate is the amount of
A) food eaten in one day.
B) heat generated in one day.
C) oxygen used in mitochondria in one day.
D) carbon dioxide produced in one day.
E) water consumed in one day.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Water consumed in one day is not directly related to an animal's metabolic rate. While water is certainly necessary for many metabolic processes to occur, an animal's water consumption can also be influenced by many other factors, such as environmental conditions, availability of water sources, and individual behavior. In contrast, the other choices (food eaten, heat generated, oxygen used in mitochondria, and carbon dioxide produced) are all more directly linked to an animal's metabolic rate.

Among These Choices, the Least Reliable Indicator of an Animal's