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Hummingbirds metabolize their food extremely quickly. If humans had a similar metabolism, they would need to ingest about 155,000 calories a day (San Diego Zoo).

Options:
a) True
b) False

User Mhelvens
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1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

It is true that if humans had a metabolism like hummingbirds, they would need to ingest about 155,000 calories a day to sustain their metabolism, given the high energy requirements and ultra-fast digestion hummingbirds exhibit.

Step-by-step explanation:

Hummingbirds have extremely high metabolic rates to support their energetic lifestyle, which includes prolonged periods of flight. They must consume a significant amount of energy rapidly, which comes from their food. The fact that a hummingbird's metabolic rate is exponentially higher than that of larger animals, including humans, leads to the statement that if humans had a metabolic rate similar to hummingbirds, they would need to ingest about 155,000 calories per day. Given the context of the energy demands and efficiency of a hummingbird's flight muscles, as well as their rapid digestion and frequent feeding requirements to maintain energy, this statement could be seen as true. Additionally, hummingbirds have a four-chambered heart that beats very quickly to keep oxygenated blood flowing to their muscles, much faster than the human heart rate.

User Genpfault
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