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Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) are small mammals with high metabolic rates - Scottish Highers Biology - Question 11 - 2019
Question 11
Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) are small mammals with high metabolic rates. Under certain conditions they will enter torpor. An experiment was carried out ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) are small mammals with high metabolic rates - Scottish Highers Biology - Question 11 - 2019
Step 1
Step 2
Suggest a measurement that could have been taken to determine whether the hamsters had entered torpor.
Answer
A suitable measurement to determine if the hamsters had entered torpor could be their heart rate or breathing rate. A noticeable decrease in these measurements would indicate a state of torpor.
Step 3
Calculate the average time spent in torpor per day by a hamster with a daily food intake of 2-5 g.
Answer
Given that the average time spent in each period of torpor is 120 minutes, and there are 7 days in a week with the hamster entering torpor 42 times, we find the total time in torpor as follows:
Total time in torpor = Average time per period × Number of periods = 120 ext{ minutes} × 42 = 5040 ext{ minutes}.
To calculate the average time spent in torpor per day, we divide this by the number of days in a week:
Average time spent in torpor per day = \frac{5040 ext{ minutes}}{7 ext{ days}} = 720 ext{ minutes}.
Step 4
State how the design of the experiment ensured that the results were reliable.
Answer
The design of the experiment ensured reliability by using the same number of hamsters in each group, specifically six hamsters per group. Additionally, the study involved four distinct groups to allow for comparisons in results.
Step 5
Suggest a factor, other than daily food intake, which could affect torpor frequency.
Answer
One factor, other than daily food intake, that could affect torpor frequency is the temperature of the environment. Cooler temperatures may prompt more frequent entry into torpor as hamsters conserve energy.
Step 6