The article "Body Size and Metabolism" by Max Kleiber discusses the relationship between body size and metabolism in animals. Kleiber reviews historical and empirical evidence supporting the surface law, which posits that the basal metabolism of animals is proportional to their body surface area. He critiques this law, noting its theoretical weaknesses and the high variability in metabolic rates among different species. Kleiber presents empirical data from recent studies, showing that metabolic rates are more closely related to body weight raised to the power of 3/4 rather than to body surface area. He explores various theoretical explanations for the surface law, including temperature regulation, nutrient diffusion, and blood circulation, but finds them insufficient to explain the observed relationships. Kleiber concludes that the general formulation of the law is that the logarithm of metabolism is proportional to the logarithm of body weight, and suggests that the unit of body surface should be abandoned in favor of a power function of body weight. The article emphasizes the importance of understanding the biological mechanisms underlying the relationship between body size and metabolism.The article "Body Size and Metabolism" by Max Kleiber discusses the relationship between body size and metabolism in animals. Kleiber reviews historical and empirical evidence supporting the surface law, which posits that the basal metabolism of animals is proportional to their body surface area. He critiques this law, noting its theoretical weaknesses and the high variability in metabolic rates among different species. Kleiber presents empirical data from recent studies, showing that metabolic rates are more closely related to body weight raised to the power of 3/4 rather than to body surface area. He explores various theoretical explanations for the surface law, including temperature regulation, nutrient diffusion, and blood circulation, but finds them insufficient to explain the observed relationships. Kleiber concludes that the general formulation of the law is that the logarithm of metabolism is proportional to the logarithm of body weight, and suggests that the unit of body surface should be abandoned in favor of a power function of body weight. The article emphasizes the importance of understanding the biological mechanisms underlying the relationship between body size and metabolism.