Question

surrounding water, and then filter out the water through baleen plates in their mouths. although the volume of water engulfed increases with whales’ body length, the surface area of whales’ baleen plates, which influences the rate at which water can be filtered, does not increase with body length to the same degree, which helps explain why ______
which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the statement?
choose 1 answer:
a minke whales and humpback whales show similar average filter times.
b blue whales show the longest average filter time and the highest average number of lunges per dive.
c humpback whales show an average of 6.28 lunges per dive.
d fin whales show a longer average filter time than minke whales do.
21 of 30

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option based on the context (whale body length, water volume engulfed, baleen plate surface area affecting filter rate) and what the table data would support:

• Option A: The context is about how body length and baleen plate surface area relate to filter rate. Similar filter times between minke and humpback whales doesn’t connect to this relationship. Eliminate A.
• Option B: The context focuses on filter rate (related to baleen plates) and water volume (related to body length). “Longest average filter time” and “highest average lunges per dive” does not tie to the relationship between body length, water volume, and baleen plate surface area. Eliminate B.
• Option C: Stating humpback whales’ average lunges per dive (6.28) is just a fact about lunges, not related to the relationship between body length, water volume, and baleen plate surface area. Eliminate C.
• Option D: Fin whales are likely larger (longer body length) than minke whales. Since body length increases water volume engulfed, but baleen plate surface area (filter rate) does not increase proportionally, a larger whale (fin) would have a longer filter time than a smaller one (minke) to process the larger volume of water. This connects to the context’s explanation.

Answer:

D. fin whales show a longer average filter time than minke whales do.