Normally, the metabolism of an organism functions at an essentially constant rate, called the basal metabolic rate of the organism. However, the metabolic rate may increase or decrease depending on the activity of the organism. In particular, after ingesting nutrients, the organism often experiences a surge in its metabolic rate, which then gradually returns to the basal level.

Michelle has just finished her Thanksgiving dinner, and her metabolic rate has surged from its basal level M₀. She then works off the meal over the next 12 hours. Suppose that t hours after the meal, her metabolic rate is given by

kilojoules per hour (kJ/hr).

a. What is Michelle’s average metabolic rate over the 12-hour period?

b. Sketch the graph of M(t). What is the peak metabolic rate and when does it occur?

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M(t) = Mo + 50te-0.1² 0 ≤t≤ 12