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.
The graph shows number of rotifers on the y-axis from 0 to 4500, in increments of 500. The x-axis is labeled as days. The data is as follows. Day 0: number of rotifers alone and number of rotifers with water fleas, 0. Day 2: number of rotifers alone and number of rotifers with water fleas, 0. Day 4: number of rotifers alone and number of rotifers with water fleas, 300. Day 6: number of rotifers alone and number of rotifers with water fleas, 500. Day 8: number of rotifers alone and number of rotifers with water fleas, 800. Day 10: number of rotifers alone, 1700 and number of rotifers with water fleas, 1600. Day 12: number of rotifers alone, 3000 and number of rotifers with water fleas, 1500. Day 14: number of rotifers alone, 4000 and number of rotifers with water fleas, 1100. Day 16: number of rotifers alone, 4200 and number of rotifers with water fleas, 200. Day 18: number of rotifers alone, 4200 and number of rotifers with water fleas, 0.
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 1–2 sentences.
This graph shows the populations.
The graph shows number of rotifers on the y-axis from 0 to 4500, in increments of 500. The x-axis is labeled as days. The data is as follows. Day 0: number of rotifers alone and number of rotifers with water fleas, 0. Day 2: number of rotifers alone and number of rotifers with water fleas, 0. Day 4: number of rotifers alone and number of rotifers with water fleas, 300. Day 6: number of rotifers alone and number of rotifers with water fleas, 500. Day 8: number of rotifers alone and number of rotifers with water fleas, 800. Day 10: number of rotifers alone, 1700 and number of rotifers with water fleas, 1600. Day 12: number of rotifers alone, 3000 and number of rotifers with water fleas, 1500. Day 14: number of rotifers alone, 4000 and number of rotifers with water fleas, 1100. Day 16: number of rotifers alone, 4200 and number of rotifers with water fleas, 200. Day 18: number of rotifers alone, 4200 and number of rotifers with water fleas, 0.
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 1–2 sentences.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The rotifer population levels off in the absence of water fleas likely due to limited resources, such as phytoplankton, which may not be sufficient to sustain further growth, and increased competition among rotifers themselves. Additionally, factors like predation, disease, or environmental changes may also contribute to the stabilization of the population.