Theory 51/Organism/Respiratory scaling
Lung Capacity Is Demand Against Surface
The claim
Lung capacity is set by the ratio of oxygen demand to diffusing surface, so a highly active animal needs a larger surface at the same body size.
01Mechanism
Gas exchange requires area; demand sets the flux, and the ratio determines the area needed.
02Prediction
Capacity should track the ratio.
03Refutation
Capacity tracking body mass would remove activity.