Question
rotifers and water fleas are predatory omnivores, eating phytoplankton, bacteria, and other microorganisms, two flasks are prepared. both flasks contain rotifers and phytoplankton, but flask z also contains water fleas.
this graph shows the populations.
R will be rotifers alone (flask x)
W will be rotifers with water fleas. (flask z)
R's population is at 2 on day one, 20 on day 2, then 300 on day 4, 500 on day 6, 760 on day 8, then skyrockets to 1850 on day 10, then to 3020 on day 12, then to 4000 on day 14, then 42500 on both days 16 and 18.
W's population is 2 on day 1, still 2 on day 2, 300 on day 4, 500 on day 6, 760 on day 8, 1600 on day 10, 1550 on day 12, 1200 on day 14, 100 on day 16, and 2 on day 18.
analyze the graph and identify some factors that may contribute to the rotifer population leveling off in the absence of water fleas. explain your answer in 3 sentences.
this graph shows the populations.
R will be rotifers alone (flask x)
W will be rotifers with water fleas. (flask z)
R's population is at 2 on day one, 20 on day 2, then 300 on day 4, 500 on day 6, 760 on day 8, then skyrockets to 1850 on day 10, then to 3020 on day 12, then to 4000 on day 14, then 42500 on both days 16 and 18.
W's population is 2 on day 1, still 2 on day 2, 300 on day 4, 500 on day 6, 760 on day 8, 1600 on day 10, 1550 on day 12, 1200 on day 14, 100 on day 16, and 2 on day 18.
analyze the graph and identify some factors that may contribute to the rotifer population leveling off in the absence of water fleas. explain your answer in 3 sentences.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The rotifer population in flask X (R) exhibits exponential growth initially, but eventually levels off at approximately 42,500 individuals, indicating that it may have reached the carrying capacity of the environment. Factors contributing to this leveling off may include limited resources such as phytoplankton and space, which become scarce as rotifer numbers increase, ultimately leading to competition among individuals. Additionally, the accumulation of waste products and increased predation pressure could also lead to resource depletion, thereby stabilizing the rotifer population even in the absence of water fleas.