Question

a. knowing the function of lipids, why would blue whales benefit from a higher lipid diet compared to hippos?
b. hippos have a much higher percentage of carbohydrates compared to blue whales. what might this tell you about their activity level?

Explanation:

a. Lipids serve as an energy - storage molecule (more energy per unit mass than carbohydrates), and they also provide insulation. Blue whales are large, aquatic animals that may need a large energy reserve (from lipids) for long - distance migrations, maintaining body temperature in cold water (insulation), and for their large body size. Hippos are semi - aquatic but have a more stable environment (in terms of temperature and food availability in their habitat) compared to the vast oceanic environment of blue whales.
b. Carbohydrates are the body's preferred source of quick energy. A higher percentage of carbohydrates in hippos might indicate that they have a relatively higher level of short - term, burst - type activities. Since carbohydrates can be broken down quickly to release energy, compared to lipids which are more for long - term energy storage.

Answer:

a. Blue whales benefit from a higher lipid diet as lipids provide more energy per unit mass (for long - distance migrations and large body maintenance) and insulation (for cold ocean water).
b. A higher percentage of carbohydrates in hippos might suggest they have relatively more short - term, burst - type activities as carbohydrates are for quick energy release.