Question
Sea gulls prey on snails on the rocky sea coast. The snails vary in color from solid brown to brown and tan striped. The birds suck the soft snail bodies out of the shells and leave the shells behind on the rocks. Scientists picked up 500 empty shells and found that 400 of the shells were solid brown and only 100 were striped. Over the years, what would you expect to happen to the snail population?
Responses
A The snails would become extinct.The snails would become extinct.
B There would be mostly brown snails.There would be mostly brown snails.
C There would be mostly striped snails.There would be mostly striped snails.
D There would be an even number of brown snails and striped snails.
Responses
A The snails would become extinct.The snails would become extinct.
B There would be mostly brown snails.There would be mostly brown snails.
C There would be mostly striped snails.There would be mostly striped snails.
D There would be an even number of brown snails and striped snails.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The correct response is:
B. There would be mostly brown snails.
Explanation: Since the sea gulls are preying on the snails and leaving behind their empty shells, the data shows that a significantly higher proportion of the shells collected (400 out of 500) were solid brown, indicating that these snails are being preyed upon less effectively than the striped snails. This suggests that the solid brown snails may have a better chance of survival and reproduction under predation pressure from the sea gulls. Over time, this could lead to an increase in the proportion of solid brown snails in the population, resulting in mostly brown snails.
B. There would be mostly brown snails.
Explanation: Since the sea gulls are preying on the snails and leaving behind their empty shells, the data shows that a significantly higher proportion of the shells collected (400 out of 500) were solid brown, indicating that these snails are being preyed upon less effectively than the striped snails. This suggests that the solid brown snails may have a better chance of survival and reproduction under predation pressure from the sea gulls. Over time, this could lead to an increase in the proportion of solid brown snails in the population, resulting in mostly brown snails.