Final answer:
The animal with a weight of 10 kg has the highest weight-specific metabolic rate, as smaller animals tend to expend more energy relative to their body weight than larger animals.
Step-by-step explanation:
The animal that weighs 10 kg will have the highest weight-specific metabolic rate. Metabolic rate is the amount of energy expended by an animal over a specific time, often measured in joules or calories. Metabolic rate varies inversely with animal size; smaller animals usually have higher metabolic rates per unit body weight than larger animals. This concept is illustrated by comparing different animals, such as a mouse and an elephant.
A mouse has a much higher metabolic rate than an elephant when comparing energy expenditure in relation to their respective body weights. Furthermore, the metabolic rate can be influenced by various factors including insulation, body temperature, and energy requirements for maintaining vital biological functions. For endothermic (warm-blooded) animals at rest, metabolic rate is measured as basal metabolic rate (BMR), while in ectotherms (cold-blooded animals), it is standard metabolic rate (SMR).