Final answer:
The direct object in the sentence is 'tarantula' because it is what Jennifer touched, the action directed by the transitive verb 'touched.'
Step-by-step explanation:
The direct object in the sentence 'Jennifer touched the tarantula at the museum' is tarantula.
The subject of the sentence is 'Jennifer,' the transitive verb is 'touched,' and the direct object is 'tarantula.' 'At the museum' is a prepositional phrase providing additional information about where Jennifer touched the tarantula, but it does not serve as the direct object. In this context, the museum is not what is being touched; instead, it provides context for where the action occurred.
It's important to understand that a direct object receives the action of the verb directly and answers the question "What?" or "Whom?" after the verb. In this case, 'What did Jennifer touch?' The answer is 'the tarantula,' making it the direct object.