What is the primary purpose of suspending metabolism in response to abiotic factors?
To conserve energy and resources
To protect the organism from harmful environmental conditions
To allow the organism to survive in conditions that would otherwise be lethal
To slow down the aging process and extend the organism's lifespan
Correct option a) - To conserve energy and resources
The main goal of stopping metabolism in response to abiotic variables is to enable the organism to endure circumstances that would be fatal otherwise.
The organism's metabolic activities slow down while it is suspended, lowering its energy needs and enabling resource conservation. This can aid the organism's ability to endure times of scarcity, including droughts or a lack of food.
The main advantage of suspension, however, is that it gives the organism the ability to withstand conditions that would otherwise be fatal, including extreme cold, heat, or dehydration. The organism can go into a dormant state by stopping metabolism, which shields it from harm and enables it to survive until circumstances improve.
For example, during seasons of drought or excessive heat, some animals, such as specific kinds of frogs and turtles, can enter a condition of suspended animation where they become completely inert and can endure without food or water for lengthy periods of time.
A state of suspended animation known as cryptobiosis allows some creatures, like tardigrades or brine shrimp, to survive high temperatures or radiation.
In order to enable the organism to endure otherwise fatal conditions and survive until conditions improve, metabolism is suspended in response to abiotic influences.
Option a is the correct answer.