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A mouse with the mass-specific metabolic rate of an elephant would require ______ than a normal mouse.

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Final answer:

A mouse with the mass-specific metabolic rate of an elephant would require less energy than a normal mouse, reflecting the relationship between animal size and energy consumption.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a mouse had the mass-specific metabolic rate of an elephant, it would require less energy than a normal mouse. The metabolic rate for a mouse is typically 890 mm³ O₂/g body mass/hr, whereas for an elephant it is 75 mm³ O₂/g body mass/hr. Since an elephant's metabolic rate is much lower, if a mouse had the metabolic rate of an elephant, it would be consuming and requiring much less oxygen per gram of body mass per hour compared to a normal mouse.

The difference between the rates illustrates how the size of an animal affects its energy consumption, with smaller animals usually having a higher metabolic rate than larger ones. This is related to their relatively larger surface area compared to their volume, which results in higher energy loss and therefore a need for a higher metabolic rate to maintain their internal environment.

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