Question

Like jackrabbits, elephants have many blood vessels in their ears that help them cool their bodies by radiating heat. Which of the following statements about this radiated energy is accurate?

A) The radiated energy is primarily in the form of visible light.
B) It is a process known as conduction rather than radiation.
C) The blood vessels in the ears serve to conserve heat, not radiate it.
D) This cooling mechanism is more effective in cold climates.
E) The radiated energy is a result of the blood vessels releasing excess heat through infrared radiation.

Answer 1

Elephants have adapted their large ears and extensive vascular network to emit excess heat through infrared radiation, a process that is facilitated by vasodilation and is part of their thermoregulation strategy.

Step-by-step explanation:

The radiated energy from elephant's ears is a result of vasodilation, which brings more blood and heat to the body surface, facilitating radiation and evaporative heat loss. Thus, the correct statement about the energy radiated from the ears of elephants is that the radiated energy is a result of the blood vessels releasing excess heat through infrared radiation. Unlike the mechanisms of conduction or convection, where heat is transferred through direct contact or moving fluids, respectively, radiation involves the emission of electromagnetic waves whereby warm bodies can radiate heat to their cooler surroundings without the need for direct contact. Therefore, elephants have adapted their large ears and extensive network of blood vessels to act as radiators that release excess body heat into the environment, helping them to cool down in hot climates.