Bears and the Big Sleep

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. Once the colder months arrive, the bear will find a nice cozy den and sleep off the winter. Biologically, by what name is this 'big sleep' better known as? Answer: (One Word - Starts with 'H')

2. Why does the bear hibernate? All of these reasons are valid. Weather conditions have become harsh. Food sources become scarce. Reduce the rate of calorie loss.

3. If a human is forced to endure a long period of sleep such as a coma, they will suffer some level of muscle atrophy or wastage. What is the effect of hibernation on a bears’ muscles? The bear may have some muscle atrophy. The bear will endure similar percentage of atrophy to humans. The bear will have no muscle wastage at all. The bear will lose muscle at a greater rate than humans

4. Can female bears give birth during hibernation? Yes No

5. In what condition is a baby bear born? Covered in fur and able to fend for itself. Covered in fur but blind. Naked and blind. Attached to its mother via cord.

6. In comparison to a human baby, how heavy is a newly born baby bear? Similar in weight to human babies. Bear cubs are substantially heavier than human babies. Bears cubs are slightly heavier on average than human babies. Decidedly lighter than human babies.

7. If a bears' metabolic processes are in balance during hibernation, which of the following will *NOT* be a requirement? Drinking. Urinating and defecating. The bear will not need to perform any of these functions. Eating.

8. Mammals need to wake from hibernation to discharge a lethal build up of waste nitrogen. What by-product of fat burning does the bear use to overcome this? Amino acids Glycerine Ketones Proteins

9. The 'drift' into hibernation by a bear may take several weeks. What is this period know as? Dream state Dormancy Walking hibernation Soft sleep

10. Studying the hibernation of the bear is likely to produce benefits for which of the following The NASA space programme Treatment of diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular diseases Treating the severely burned All of these