The table below shows the mean mass-specific metabolic rate of golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) at different ambient temperatures.
| Ambient temperature (∘C^\circ\text{C}∘C) | Mean metabolic rate of males (cm3 O2 g−1h−1\text{cm}^3\text{ O}_2\text{ g}^{-1}\text{h}^{-1}cm3 O2 g−1h−1) | Mean metabolic rate of females (cm3 O2 g−1h−1\text{cm}^3\text{ O}_2\text{ g}^{-1}\text{h}^{-1}cm3 O2 g−1h−1) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 8.4 | 8.1 |
| 12 | 6.5 | 6.1 |
| 20 | 4.8 | 4.3 |
| 27 | 3.2 | 2.8 |
| 33 | 2.1 | 1.9 |
Calculate the percentage decrease in the mean metabolic rate of males between 5 ∘C5\ ^\circ\text{C}5 ∘C and 27 ∘C27\ ^\circ\text{C}27 ∘C.
Use the equation:
percentage decrease=decrease in metabolic rateoriginal metabolic rate×100\text{percentage decrease} = \frac{\text{decrease in metabolic rate}}{\text{original metabolic rate}} \times 100percentage decrease=original metabolic ratedecrease in metabolic rate×100
Give your answer to 3 significant figures.