Question 11 – Level of organisation - Questions

Agar blocks are prepared to model how different body shapes of desert organisms affect water loss via evaporation. To survive in arid conditions, a small mammal needs to minimise water loss from its surface.

The diagram below shows three differently shaped blocks of agar prepared from the same mixture. Each block has a volume of $cm3216.0\text{ cm}^3$ .

Three blocks of agar: Block A is a cube of side length 6 cm. Block B is a moderately elongated rectangular block. Block C is a flatter, longer rectangular block. Only the dimension of Block A's side length '6 cm' is explicitly shown on the diagram representing the cube.

The table below shows the surface area, volume, and surface area to volume ratio for Block B and Block C. Complete the table by calculating and filling in the values for Block A, which is a cube with a side length of $cm6.0\text{ cm}$ .

Block	Surface area ( $cm2\text{cm}^2$ )	Volume ( $cm3\text{cm}^3$ )	Surface area to volume ratio
A	(i)	(ii)	(iii)
B	$252.0$	$216.0$	$1.17 : 1$
C	$312.0$	$216.0$	$1.44 : 1$

To survive in extremely arid conditions, small desert mammals must minimise their rate of dehydration. Explain which body shape, modelled by A, B, or C, represents the most advantageous adaptation for these mammals to survive in a hot, dry environment.

The diagram below shows three differently shaped blocks of agar prepared from the same mixture. Each block has a volume of $cm3216.0\text{ cm}^3$ .

Block	Surface area ( $cm2\text{cm}^2$ )	Volume ( $cm3\text{cm}^3$ )	Surface area to volume ratio
A	(i)	(ii)	(iii)
B	$252.0$	$216.0$	$1.17 : 1$
C	$312.0$	$216.0$	$1.44 : 1$

Level of organisation

Question 8

Level of organisation

Question 8

Level of organisation

Question 8

Level of organisation Questions

Level of organisation

Question 8

Level of organisation Questions