Question

the student found an investigation where scientists compared the temperatures of shaved and hairy silver ants. the scientists determined that the specialized hairs affect body temperature when exposed to light approximating the saharan sun. their findings are shown in figure 2.
figure 2. body temperature of heat - exposed shaved and hairy silver ants over time
graph with time (minutes) on x - axis, temperature (°c) on y - axis, and two lines for hairy and shaved ants
key: hairy (dotted line), shaved (solid line)
which claim about the silver hairs on silver ants is best supported by the data shown in figure 2?
a. thermal energy absorbed by the silver hairs can be converted into chemical energy.
b. the silver hairs lead to behavioral differences that reduce the body temperature of the ant.
c. the body temperature of ants with the silver hairs does not rise as fast as ants without the silver hairs when in the sun.
d. the silver hairs require more metabolic energy to maintain, which offsets the energy absorbed from the sun.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option A: The data (graph) shows temperature over time, not energy conversion, so A is not supported.
• Option B: The graph compares shaved and hairy ants' temperature, not behavioral differences, so B is incorrect.
• Option C: The graph (Figure 2) has two lines: one for hairy (silver - haired) ants and one for shaved (no silver hairs) ants. The line for hairy ants is below the shaved ants' line over time, meaning their body temperature rises more slowly. This matches the claim.
• Option D: The graph does not provide data about metabolic energy or energy absorption offset, so D is not supported.

Answer:

C. The body temperature of ants with the silver hairs does not rise as fast as ants without the silver hairs when in the sun.