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Multiple Choice
The amount of toxin needed to poison an animal is often dependent on which of the following factors?
A
The animal's fur color
B
The animal's body mass
C
The animal's habitat temperature
D
The animal's eye size
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of toxin dosage: The amount of toxin required to poison an animal is typically proportional to its body mass. Larger animals generally require a higher dose of toxin compared to smaller animals.
Eliminate irrelevant factors: Fur color, eye size, and habitat temperature are not directly related to the physiological process of toxin absorption or the animal's susceptibility to poisoning.
Focus on body mass: Body mass is a critical factor because it determines the volume of distribution for the toxin within the animal's body. Larger animals have more tissue and fluid to dilute the toxin, requiring a higher dose to achieve the same effect.
Consider the principle of dose per unit mass: Toxicologists often calculate the effective dose of a toxin using the formula: , where is the total dose, is the dose per unit mass, and is the animal's body mass.
Conclude that body mass is the correct factor: Based on the biological principle of toxin distribution and dosage calculation, the animal's body mass is the most relevant factor influencing the amount of toxin needed to poison it.