Paul is a 19-year-old athlete who is 6' tall and weighs 178 pounds; Rick is a 40-year-old salesman who weighs 165 pounds and is 5' 7"" tall. What statement below best describes who would have the higher basal metabolic rate and why?

Paul, because he is younger, taller, and likely more muscular

Explanation:

The basal metabolic rate refers to the rate at which endothermic organisms, including humans, burn their energy. Not everybody has the same metabolic rate. Differences on metabolic rate can be accounted for by differences in sex, height, body mass, age, but also by genetic differences and overall fitness. In our case, Paul, being an athlete is clearly the one who would have the higher basal metabolic rate, he is younger, taller, and likely more muscular than Rick, who apart from that is a salesman and thus he probably doesn't get as much exercise as Paul. Generally speaking, as we age, our metabolism slows down, which only worsens when leading a sedentary lifestyle.