Metabolic-Rate Table — Question 14
Study Description and Data Table
A team of biologists measured the metabolic rate (in arbitrary units) of three closely related freshwater fish species at five different water temperatures, ranging from 30°C to 70°C. Each measurement was repeated three times and the mean is reported in Table 1.
Background: Metabolic rate generally rises with temperature in cold-blooded animals because biochemical reactions proceed more quickly at higher temperatures. The three species in this experiment inhabit overlapping but distinct natural temperature ranges; Species A is found in the coldest waters, Species C in the warmest.
Table 1. Metabolic rate at varying temperature:
| Temp (°C) | Species A | Species B | Species C |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | 3 | 3.5 | 4 |
| 40 | 3.8 | 4.3 | 4.8 |
| 50 | 4.6 | 5.1 | 5.6 |
| 60 | 5.4 | 5.9 | 6.4 |
| 70 | 6.2 | 6.7 | 7.2 |
Question
Answer choices
- 3.7
- 6.4
- 2.7
- 3.2
D Correct answer: D) 3.2
Subtract the metabolic rate at the lowest temperature from the rate at the highest temperature. 6.7 - 3.5 = 3.2.
On Science questions, the data table or graph is the answer key. Outside biology or chemistry knowledge is rarely needed; everything you need is in front of you.
When a question asks about a single species or a single condition, isolate just that row or column before answering. Looking at the whole table at once is the most common error.
The underlying rule
For "by how much did X change" questions, subtract the endpoint values. Always read both axes and units before subtracting.
Why each wrong answer is wrong
- A) 3.7: This option misreads the table — typically by grabbing the wrong row, the wrong column, or the wrong arithmetic operation.
- B) 6.4: This option misreads the table — typically by grabbing the wrong row, the wrong column, or the wrong arithmetic operation.
- C) 2.7: This option misreads the table — typically by grabbing the wrong row, the wrong column, or the wrong arithmetic operation.
Study tip
Treat ACT Science as graph-and-table reading, not biology trivia. The skills are essentially the same as reading a stock chart or a sports box score under time pressure.
More Medium Data Representation
- Metabolic-Rate Table — Question 1Read Table 1 and answer.
- Metabolic-Rate Table — Question 2Read Table 1 and answer.
- Metabolic-Rate Table — Question 3Read Table 1 and answer.
- Metabolic-Rate Table — Question 4Read Table 1 and answer.
- Metabolic-Rate Table — Question 5Read Table 1 and answer.