Final answer:
The relationship between mass-specific metabolic rate and body weight can be plotted to understand how metabolic rate varies with weight. Generally, metabolic rate tends to increase with body weight. Studies have shown that larger animals and individuals with higher body weights have higher metabolic rates.
Step-by-step explanation:
The relationship between mass-specific metabolic rate and body weight can be plotted to understand how metabolic rate varies with weight. The metabolic rate refers to the amount of energy expended by the body in a given period of time. Generally, metabolic rate tends to increase with body weight.
For example, a study by M Kleiber found that there is a positive relationship between body size and metabolic rate in mammals. This means that larger animals tend to have higher metabolic rates.
Additionally, it has been observed that people with higher body weights, such as those with obesity, have higher metabolic rates compared to thinner individuals. This is because the body requires more energy to sustain the basic functions in larger individuals.