The following questions refer to Figure 40.1.

Figure 40.1
-Near the goose's abdomen, the consequence of this arrangement of the arterial and venous blood vessels is that
A)the temperature difference between the vessels is minimized by countercurrent exchange.
B)the venous blood is as cold near the abdomen as it is near the feet.
C)the blood in the feet as the same temperature as the blood in the abdomen.
D)the temperature at the abdomen is less than the temperature at the feet.
E)the goose loses the maximum possible amount of heat to the environment.

Question

The following questions refer to Figure 40.1.
  
Figure 40.1
-Near the goose's abdomen, the consequence of this arrangement of the arterial and venous blood vessels is that
A)the temperature difference between the vessels is minimized by countercurrent exchange. 
B)the venous blood is as cold near the abdomen as it is near the feet. 
C)the blood in the feet as the same temperature as the blood in the abdomen. 
D)the temperature at the abdomen is less than the temperature at the feet. 
E)the goose loses the maximum possible amount of heat to the environment.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The arrangement of the arterial and venous blood vessels in the goose's abdomen allows for countercurrent exchange, which minimizes the temperature difference between the vessels. This means that the warm arterial blood from the body is cooled as it passes by the colder venous blood returning from the feet. As a result, the goose is able to retain more heat in its body, which is important for survival in cold environments. Therefore, choice A is the correct answer.

The Following Questions Refer to Figure 40.1