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The blue whale is
the largest animal that has ever lived. It can reach 30 meters long and weigh as
much as 181,000 kilograms. The animal's heart alone weighs more than a fully grown
cow. For the first time ever, scientists have recorded its heart rate.
Stanford University
ocean biologist Jeremy Goldbogen led the study of the blue whaled heart rate. To
get this reading, the researchers attached an electrocardiogram device(心电图设备) to the body of a blue whale. They recorded
nine hours of information on a 22-meter-long male from the Pacific Ocean off the
coast of California. The data did not come easily.
"First, we have
to find a blue whale, which can be very arduous," Goldbogen said, because
these animals live across massive areas of the open ocean. But, with years of research
experience and some luck, he explained, the team was able to position a small boat
along the whalers left side.
Then, the researchers
connected a special recording device to a very long pole. As the whale surfaced
to breathe, they quickly put the device as near to the animal's heart as possible.
The small device had four suction cups(吸盘) on it, permitting it to remain on the whale for several hours.
They found out that
when the blue whale dived for food, its heart rate dropped to between 4 to 8 beats
per minute—with the lowest being two beats per minute. At the bottom of the hunting
dive, the whale's heart rate rose to about 2. 5 times the minimum and then decreased
again. Once the whale got its fill and began to surface, the heart rate increased.
The highest heart rate — 25 to 37 beats per minute — occurred after the whale came
out of the water for air. The findings are different from what scientists have already
known — larger animals have slower heart rates. Therefore, they believe that such
research helps scientists understand how huge animals operate.
(1)
What does the underlined word "arduous" in paragraph 3 probably mean?
A . Urgent.
B . Important.
C . Difficult.
D . Impractical.
(2)
What are the suction cups used to do?
A . Place the boat beside the whale.
B . Connect the device with the whale.
C . Record the heart rate of the whale.
D . Confirm the position of the whale.
(3)
When can the blue whale's heart rate reach the highest?
A . When it is diving for food.
B . When it is consuming food underwater.
C . When it begins to come out.
D . When it breathes on the surface of water.
(4)
Where is the text most likely from?
A . A research plan.
B . A science report.
C . A biology textbook.
D . A health magazine.
答案: C
B
D
B