Explain why it would be impossible for a gorilla the size of King Kong to have f

Question

Explain why it would be impossible for a gorilla the size of King Kong to have fur. (Your answer should explain how the surface area/volume ratio of a normal-sized gorilla would compare to Kong's; relate this to the role of surface area and volume in heat generation and heat transfer; and consider the function of fur.)

King Kong is ______ , and his huge mass ________ generate a great deal of heat. His relatively ______ surface area compared to that of a normal-sized gorilla ______ be able to dissipate the heatespecially if the surface _______ covered with insulating fur.

Options:

small

large

would

were not

ectothermic

were

wouldn't

endothermic

Explanation / Answer

The surface area to volume ratio is larger in the normal sized gorilla as compared to King Kong. The skin of the gorilla is smaller and is not able to stabilize and maintain the temperature easily which is why they need fur. However, when it comes to King Kong it has smaller surface area to volume and hence maintains the temperature and it gets cooler or warmer slowly. This means they are able to retain the heat and with lot of fur it would not be able to release heat quickly.

King Kong is endothermic and his huge mass would generate a great deal of heat. His relatively small surface area compared to that of a normal sized gorilla wouldn’t be able to dissipate the heat especially if the surface were covered with insulating fur.

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