[Campbell Biology P.776] According to the text, what is a key difference in lifestyle or phy... | Practice Question

According to the text, what is a key difference in lifestyle or physical adaptation between most sharks and most rays?

  • A: Most sharks are bottom-dwellers, while most rays are fast swimmers in open water.
  • B: Rays use greatly enlarged pectoral fins for propulsion, whereas sharks primarily rely on their tails.
  • C: Sharks typically feed on molluscs and crustaceans, while rays are mostly carnivores.
  • D: Sharks have venomous barbs for defense, while rays use powerful jaws and teeth.

Explanation

The text clearly states: 'Although rays are closely related to sharks, they have adopted a very different lifestyle... They have a flattened shape and use their greatly enlarged pectoral fins like water wings to propel themselves through the water.' For sharks, it states they are 'fast swimmers' and have 'paired pectoral and pelvic fins' which implies their primary propulsion is from the tail, typical for sharks. This aligns with option B.