Paramecia are single-celled organisms that can live in different aqueous environments. (Paramecium is the singular version of the word paramecia.) Paramecium aurelia (abbreviated P. aurelia) and Paramecium caudatum (abbreviated P. caudatum) are two different species of paramecium. A scientist decided to see if the two types of paramecia would grow differently if they were in a container together rather than being in separate containers. The scientist first measured the populations of the two kinds of paramecia when they were in separate containers for 16 days. Then, the scientist put the two kinds of paramecia in the same container together and again measured their populations for 16 days. The scientist created graphs that show the populations found in the two different trials.

Question

4. Interpret the graphs. What type of relationship must exist between the two types of paramecia?

(1 point)
Responses

There is competition between the two paramecium species and when they are in the same container, one significantly outcompetes the other because of this relationship.
There is competition between the two paramecium species and when they are in the same container, one significantly outcompetes the other because of this relationship.

There is a commensalism relationship between the two paramecium species and when they are in the same container, one benefits and the other is neither harmed or benefited from this relationship.
There is a commensalism relationship between the two paramecium species and when they are in the same container, one benefits and the other is neither harmed or benefited from this relationship.

There is a mutualism relationship between the two paramecium species and when they are in the same container, they both benefit from this relationship.
There is a mutualism relationship between the two paramecium species and when they are in the same container, they both benefit from this relationship.

Answer 1

Based on the description of the scientist's experiment with P. aurelia and P. caudatum, the correct interpretation of the relationship between the two types of paramecia is:

There is competition between the two paramecium species and when they are in the same container, one significantly outcompetes the other because of this relationship.

This interpretation is supported by the idea that when two species are in the same environment, they may compete for resources such as food, space, or light, leading to changes in their populations. If one species significantly outcompetes the other, it implies a competitive relationship.