Modelling the BMR of Species in Middle-Earth

Authors

  • Krisho Manoharan The Centre for Interdisciplinary Science, University of Leicester
  • Skye Rosetti The Centre for Interdisciplinary Science, University of Leicester

Keywords:

Book, Film, Biology, Metabolism, Tolkien, Middle Earth

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to model the metabolic rates of the different species inhabiting the fictional world of Middle Earth, from the works of J. R. R. Tolkien. Hobbits, humans and elves were modelled by considering animal analogues for the basal metabolic rate (BMR). Constants of proportionality were determined to modify human BMR for different heights and weights. It was found that hobbits have the highest resting metabolic rate, while elves have the lowest. This is attributed to size and loss of heat due to changes in the surface area to volume ratio.

References

White, C.R. & Seymour, R.S. (2003) Mammalian basal metabolic rate is proportional to body mass 2/3, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 100, 4046-4049

Nielsen-Schmidt, K. (1997) Animal Physiology: Adaptation and environment, Fifth Edition (Cambridge University Press), p. 194

Roza, A.M. & Shizgal, H.M. (1984) The Harris Benedict equation re-evaluated, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 40, 168-182

Tolkien, J.R.R. (1980) Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth (Harper Collins), p. 370.

Craig, R. & Mindell, J. (2012) Health Survey for England – 2012, Volume 1: Health, Social Care and Lifestyles (Health and Social Care Information Centre), Chapter 10, p.20

Tolkien, J.R.R. (1954) The Lord of the Rings (Harper Collins), Prologue: Concerning Hobbits

Downloads

How to Cite

Manoharan, K., & Rosetti, S. (2017). Modelling the BMR of Species in Middle-Earth. Journal of Interdisciplinary Science Topics, 4. Retrieved from https://journals.le.ac.uk/index.php/jist/article/view/758

Issue

Vol. 4 (2015)

Section

Articles

License

This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.  All content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence (CC-BY 4.0).