Final answer:
The creatine phosphate system fuels a cheetah's maximal performance during short, intense sprints due to its ability to act quickly, although it lasts only for about 8-10 seconds. This, combined with the cheetah's specialized anatomy including its muscular body and large lung capacity, allows it to achieve incredible speeds.
Step-by-step explanation:
The energy system that likely fuels a cheetah's maximal performance for short bursts of speed is the creatine phosphate system. This system is used by muscle cells for short, intense activities and is fast acting, although it lasts only for about 8-10 seconds. Cheetah's muscles require a lot of energy during their high-speed chases, and since aerobic cellular respiration cannot provide the necessary energy quickly enough, the creatine phosphate system is utilized instead.
Additionally, a cheetah's physical characteristics, such as the placement and structure of its limbs, contribute to its incredible speed. The cheetah's muscular body, long legs, flexible spine, and large lung capacity all work together to enable it to achieve rapid acceleration and a top speed that no other land animal can match. This specialized anatomy, combined with the energy from the creatine phosphate system, allows the cheetah to sprint at top speed to catch its prey.