1. INTRODUCTION All biological activities depend on metabolic energy, and thus understanding why rates of metabolism vary is of fundamental importance. A major factor affecting meta- bolic rate is body size. Respiratory metabolic rate (R) typically scales with body mass (M) according to the power function R=aM, where a is a normalization constant (antilog of the intercept in a log-log plot) and b is the scaling exponent (slope in a log-log plot). Rubner (1883) observed that the scaling exponent b was 2/3 in dogs of different size, which he explained using the theory of Sarrus & Rameaux (1839: cited in McNab 2002). According to this theory, to maintain a constant body temperature, endothermic animals must metabolically produce enough body heat to exactly balance the amount of heat lost through their body surface. Therefore, since body surface scales as M, so should metabolic rate. However, in broader comparisons of different species of mammals, Kleiber (1932) found that b was closer to 3/4 than 2/3. Since that time, it has been commonly assumed that b is typically 3/4, a generalization known as 'Kleiber's h e law' or the 3/4-power law' (Brody 1945; Hemmingsen
1. INTRODUCTION All biological activities depend on metabolic energy, and thus understanding why rates of metabolism vary is of fundamental importance. A major factor affecting meta- bolic rate is body size. Respiratory metabolic rate (R) typically scales with body mass (M) according to the power function R=aM, where a is a normalization constant (antilog of the intercept in a log-log plot) and b is the scaling exponent (slope in a log-log plot). Rubner (1883) observed that the scaling exponent b was 2/3 in dogs of different size, which he explained using the theory of Sarrus & Rameaux (1839: cited in McNab 2002). According to this theory, to maintain a constant body temperature, endothermic animals must metabolically produce enough body heat to exactly balance the amount of heat lost through their body surface. Therefore, since body surface scales as M, so should metabolic rate. However, in broader comparisons of different species of mammals, Kleiber (1932) found that b was closer to 3/4 than 2/3. Since that time, it has been commonly assumed that b is typically 3/4, a generalization known as 'Kleiber's h e law' or the 3/4-power law' (Brody 1945; Hemmingsen
Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
11th Edition
ISBN:9780134580999
Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Chapter1: The Human Body: An Orientation
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RQ: The correct sequence of levels forming the structural hierarchy is A. (a) organ, organ system,...
Related questions
Question
What are the meaning to the variables in R=aM^b please help

Transcribed Image Text:1. INTRODUCTION
All biological activities depend on metabolic energy, and
thus understanding why rates of metabolism vary is of
fundamental importance. A major factor affecting meta-
bolic rate is body size. Respiratory metabolic rate (R)
typically scales with body mass (M) according to the
power function R=aM, where a is a normalization
constant (antilog of the intercept in a log-log plot) and b
is the scaling exponent (slope in a log-log plot). Rubner
(1883) observed that the scaling exponent b was 2/3 in
dogs of different size, which he explained using the theory
of Sarrus & Rameaux (1839: cited in McNab 2002).
According to this theory, to maintain a constant body
temperature, endothermic animals must metabolically
produce enough body heat to exactly balance the amount
of heat lost through their body surface. Therefore, since
body surface scales as M, so should metabolic rate.
However, in broader comparisons of different species of
mammals, Kleiber (1932) found that b was closer to 3/4
than 2/3. Since that time, it has been commonly assumed
that b is typically 3/4, a generalization known as 'Kleiber's
h
e
law' or the 3/4-power law' (Brody 1945; Hemmingsen
Expert Solution

This question has been solved!
Explore an expertly crafted, step-by-step solution for a thorough understanding of key concepts.
This is a popular solution!
Trending now
This is a popular solution!
Step by step
Solved in 2 steps

Knowledge Booster
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.Recommended textbooks for you

Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
Biology
ISBN:
9780134580999
Author:
Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:
PEARSON

Biology 2e
Biology
ISBN:
9781947172517
Author:
Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi, Mary Ann Clark
Publisher:
OpenStax

Anatomy & Physiology
Biology
ISBN:
9781259398629
Author:
McKinley, Michael P., O'loughlin, Valerie Dean, Bidle, Theresa Stouter
Publisher:
Mcgraw Hill Education,

Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
Biology
ISBN:
9780134580999
Author:
Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:
PEARSON

Biology 2e
Biology
ISBN:
9781947172517
Author:
Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi, Mary Ann Clark
Publisher:
OpenStax

Anatomy & Physiology
Biology
ISBN:
9781259398629
Author:
McKinley, Michael P., O'loughlin, Valerie Dean, Bidle, Theresa Stouter
Publisher:
Mcgraw Hill Education,

Molecular Biology of the Cell (Sixth Edition)
Biology
ISBN:
9780815344322
Author:
Bruce Alberts, Alexander D. Johnson, Julian Lewis, David Morgan, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter Walter
Publisher:
W. W. Norton & Company

Laboratory Manual For Human Anatomy & Physiology
Biology
ISBN:
9781260159363
Author:
Martin, Terry R., Prentice-craver, Cynthia
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Publishing Co.

Inquiry Into Life (16th Edition)
Biology
ISBN:
9781260231700
Author:
Sylvia S. Mader, Michael Windelspecht
Publisher:
McGraw Hill Education