Question

A species of sea snail grows at different rates depending on environmental factors. Scientists grow groups of sea snails under different conditions to identify the controlling environmental factors. They provide each group of sea snails with the same amount of food. Figure 1 shows the growth rate of the sea snail as a function of an unknown factor. From the choices below, select the correct label for the x-axis of the graph in Figure 1. 1. Temperature 2.water volume 3. Glucose availability 4. Oxygen concentration

Answer 1

To determine the correct label for the x-axis of the graph in Figure 1, we need to consider which environmental factor is commonly known to influence the growth rate of sea snails.

1. Temperature: This is a well-known factor that affects the metabolic rates and growth of ectothermic animals, including sea snails.

2. Water volume: While water availability can impact growth, it's not typically a direct measure like temperature or gas concentrations.

3. Glucose availability: This is more relevant for energy sources in animals but is less likely to be a primary axis for environmental factors affecting growth.

4. Oxygen concentration: This does affect marine life but is less commonly varied in experimental setups compared to temperature.

Given these considerations, if the graph is showing how growth rates change based on typical environmental experiments conducted for sea snails, the most fitting choice for the x-axis is likely 1. Temperature.