Whales’ rib cages have adapted to allow them to compress, which lets them dive to great depths. Why is this essential to help them adapt to the pressure of the ocean?
a. There is less pressure in the middle of the ocean.
b. There is negative pressure at the surface of the ocean.
c. There is buoyant pressure at the bottom of the ocean.
d. There is more pressure as depth increases.
d. There is more pressure as depth increases.
d. There is more pressure as depth increases.
The correct answer is d. There is more pressure as depth increases.
To understand why whales' rib cages have adapted to allow compression, we need to first understand the concept of water pressure. Water is much denser and heavier than air, so as depth increases in the ocean, the weight of the water above exerts more and more pressure. This means that the deeper you go, the greater the pressure becomes.
Whales, being marine mammals, need to dive to great depths to find food and survive. However, the increasing pressure as they descend can be harmful to their bodies if not properly adapted. This is where the adaptation of their rib cages comes into play.
Whales have evolved rib cages that are flexible and can compress under pressure. The flexibility allows their rib cages to withstand and distribute the increasing pressure as they descend into the depths of the ocean. By compressing their rib cages, the whales are reducing the chance of their internal organs being damaged or crushed by the immense pressure.
So, the compression of their rib cages is essential for whales to adapt to the increasing pressure of the ocean as they dive deeper.