What do we call the ability of an animal to bounce sound off an object and detect where and what that object is?

• A. Phototaxis
• B. Chemoreception
• C. Echolocation
• D. Magnetoreception

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Begin by understanding the concept of echolocation. Echolocation is the biological ability of certain animals, such as bats and dolphins, to emit sound waves and interpret the echoes that bounce back from objects in their environment. This helps them determine the location, size, and shape of objects.
2. Step 2: Compare echolocation with the other terms provided in the question. Phototaxis refers to the movement of an organism in response to light, chemoreception involves detecting chemical stimuli, and magnetoreception is the ability to sense magnetic fields. None of these terms describe the ability to detect objects using sound waves.
3. Step 3: Recognize that echolocation is specifically related to sound waves and their echoes, making it the correct term for the ability described in the question.
4. Step 4: Understand the practical applications of echolocation in animals. For example, bats use echolocation to navigate and hunt in the dark, while dolphins use it to locate prey and communicate underwater.
5. Step 5: Conclude that echolocation is the correct answer based on its definition and comparison with the other terms provided in the question.