Question

Hypothesis: If a higher percentage of people are immune to a disease, then the disease will spread more slowly, because fewer people will be able to contract it or pass it on.

Did the data in this experiment support the lab’s hypothesis?
Explain why, citing data from the trials.

Which comparisons of Trial A (no immunity) and Trial C (50% immunity) did you include in your explanation? Check all that apply.

After six points of contact, fewer people were infected in Trial C than in Trial A.

On average, the slope of the graph for Trial C was less than than the slope for Trial A.

Infection spread at a slower rate in Trial C than in Trial A.

In addition to the ten immune people, three nonimmune people did not become infected.

Answer 1

Yes — the data support the hypothesis. Trial C (50% immune) showed fewer infections and slower spread than Trial A (no immunity): after six points of contact there were fewer infected people in Trial C than in Trial A, the average slope of the infection curve for Trial C was smaller than for Trial A (indicating slower growth), and overall infection spread at a slower rate in Trial C. Also, in Trial C there were, in addition to the ten immune people, three nonimmune people who did not become infected.

Comparisons I included (check all that apply):
- [x] After six points of contact, fewer people were infected in Trial C than in Trial A.
- [x] On average, the slope of the graph for Trial C was less than the slope for Trial A.
- [x] Infection spread at a slower rate in Trial C than in Trial A.
- [x] In addition to the ten immune people, three nonimmune people did not become infected.