alevel aqa biolgoy quesyions on SA:V ratio

Do organisms with a high surface area to volume ratio, since they lose heat faster does this mean they have a higher metabolic rate than organisms with a low surface area to volume ratio, since they need to maintain a constant body temperature? Alevel aqa biology
Can someone explain this please?
Thank you

Reply 1

Nitrotoluene

Original post

by LisaPerera

Small animals have a higher surface area to volume ratio than large animals. This means that they have a greater proportion of surface area through which to lose heat.
Why is their metabolism higher?
Because they lose heat more quickly, small animals such as mice need to produce more energy to maintain a constant body temperature. Consequently, they have a higher metabolic rate than large animals (such as elephants).
A practical example of this is that a mouse must eat continuously and consumes much more oxygen per gram of weight than an elephant, which has a slower metabolism.