QUESTION: 593 Topic Exam C: Section 3 (science)

One phenomenon studied by ecologists is the growth and regulation of populations. Population growth can be restricted when resources are limited. Competition for resources can also have an effect on population growth. Three experiments were conducted on various insects to test the validity of these statements. The table that follows is a summary of all three experiments.

Experiment 1
Two beetle species and caterpillars were studied: Six of each insect were grown in separate vials that contained adequate food supply. Beetle A and Beetle B feed on whole-wheat flour, while the caterpillars feed on fresh leaves. Twenty identical vials were set up for each insect. After ten weeks, both species of beetles grew to an average population of 500 in each vial. There was an average of 20 caterpillars in the vials that contained caterpillars.

Experiment 2
Six beetles from species A and six caterpillars were grown in the same vial containing whole-wheat flour and fresh leaves. Twenty identical vials were set up. After ten weeks, the average population of Beetle A was 500 while there was an average of 20 caterpillars in each vial.

Experiment 3
Six beetles from each beetle species were placed in the same vial containing whole-wheat flour. Twenty identical vials were set up. After ten weeks, the average population of Beetle A was three hundred while the average population of Beetle B was one hundred.

The table shows the average population of each insect that is involved in the experiments outlined.

What would happen if, in Experiment 2, Beetle B and caterpillars were put in the same vial?

The caterpillars would die by Week 10 because of overpopulation by Beetle B.
The average population of Beetle B would reach 100 and the average population for caterpillars would reach five because of competition for food.
The average population of caterpillars would reach 50, while Beetle B would die because caterpillars are stronger competitors for food.
The average population of Beetle B would reach 500 while the average population of caterpillars would reach 20, as in Experiment 2.

Answer(s): D

Explanation:

While Experiment 3 suggests that both species of beetles compete for food, Experiment 2 suggests that Beetle A does not compete with caterpillars for food. Therefore, Beetle B should not be expected to compete with the caterpillars for food either.

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QUESTION: 594 Topic Exam C: Section 3 (science)

One phenomenon studied by ecologists is the growth and regulation of populations. Population growth can be restricted when resources are limited. Competition for resources can also have an effect on population growth. Three experiments were conducted on various insects to test the validity of these statements. The table that follows is a summary of all three experiments.

Experiment 1
Two beetle species and caterpillars were studied: Six of each insect were grown in separate vials that contained adequate food supply. Beetle A and Beetle B feed on whole-wheat flour, while the caterpillars feed on fresh leaves. Twenty identical vials were set up for each insect. After ten weeks, both species of beetles grew to an average population of 500 in each vial. There was an average of 20 caterpillars in the vials that contained caterpillars.

Experiment 2
Six beetles from species A and six caterpillars were grown in the same vial containing whole-wheat flour and fresh leaves. Twenty identical vials were set up. After ten weeks, the average population of Beetle A was 500 while there was an average of 20 caterpillars in each vial.

Experiment 3
Six beetles from each beetle species were placed in the same vial containing whole-wheat flour. Twenty identical vials were set up. After ten weeks, the average population of Beetle A was three hundred while the average population of Beetle B was one hundred.

The table shows the average population of each insect that is involved in the experiments outlined.

Which of the following statements is true of Experiment 3?

Beetle B is the more dominant of the two beetle species.
Beetle A and Beetle B compete for space, food, or both.
The population size of Beetle B is smaller than Beetle A due to migration.
The population size of Beetle B is smaller than Beetle A due to the absence of the caterpillars.

Answer(s): D

Explanation:

The decrease in both Beetle A and Beetle B population sizes indicate that there is interspecies competition for resources. All the other statements are not true.

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QUESTION: 595 Topic Exam C: Section 3 (science)

One phenomenon studied by ecologists is the growth and regulation of populations. Population growth can be restricted when resources are limited. Competition for resources can also have an effect on population growth. Three experiments were conducted on various insects to test the validity of these statements. The table that follows is a summary of all three experiments.

Experiment 1
Two beetle species and caterpillars were studied: Six of each insect were grown in separate vials that contained adequate food supply. Beetle A and Beetle B feed on whole-wheat flour, while the caterpillars feed on fresh leaves. Twenty identical vials were set up for each insect. After ten weeks, both species of beetles grew to an average population of 500 in each vial. There was an average of 20 caterpillars in the vials that contained caterpillars.

Experiment 2
Six beetles from species A and six caterpillars were grown in the same vial containing whole-wheat flour and fresh leaves. Twenty identical vials were set up. After ten weeks, the average population of Beetle A was 500 while there was an average of 20 caterpillars in each vial.

Experiment 3
Six beetles from each beetle species were placed in the same vial containing whole-wheat flour. Twenty identical vials were set up. After ten weeks, the average population of Beetle A was three hundred while the average population of Beetle B was one hundred.

The table shows the average population of each insect that is involved in the experiments outlined.

Suppose that, instead of starting with six of each species in Experiment 3, only three of each species were placed in the vial. After ten weeks, what percentage of the total population would the Beetle B species constitute?

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

The ratio of Beetle A to Beetle B should remain the same regardless of the initial number of beetles. Hence, Beetle A constitutes 75%, while Beetle B constitutes 25%.

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QUESTION: 596 Topic Exam C: Section 3 (science)

One phenomenon studied by ecologists is the growth and regulation of populations. Population growth can be restricted when resources are limited. Competition for resources can also have an effect on population growth. Three experiments were conducted on various insects to test the validity of these statements. The table that follows is a summary of all three experiments.

Experiment 1
Two beetle species and caterpillars were studied: Six of each insect were grown in separate vials that contained adequate food supply. Beetle A and Beetle B feed on whole-wheat flour, while the caterpillars feed on fresh leaves. Twenty identical vials were set up for each insect. After ten weeks, both species of beetles grew to an average population of 500 in each vial. There was an average of 20 caterpillars in the vials that contained caterpillars.

Experiment 2
Six beetles from species A and six caterpillars were grown in the same vial containing whole-wheat flour and fresh leaves. Twenty identical vials were set up. After ten weeks, the average population of Beetle A was 500 while there was an average of 20 caterpillars in each vial.

Experiment 3
Six beetles from each beetle species were placed in the same vial containing whole-wheat flour. Twenty identical vials were set up. After ten weeks, the average population of Beetle A was three hundred while the average population of Beetle B was one hundred.

The table shows the average population of each insect that is involved in the experiments outlined.

Suppose another species of beetle, Beetle C, replaces Beetle A in Experiment 3. After ten weeks, only the Beetle C species can be found in the vial. Which of the following hypotheses does NOT explain the result in terms of competition?

The adult and larval Beetle C species ate the eggs and pupae of the Beetle B species.
The Beetle C species hoarded the food supply and defended it from the Beetle B species.
The Beetle B species was unable to reproduce due to a genetic mutation.
The Beetle C species secretes an enzyme on the food supply that can only be broken down by its own digestion system.

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

The dearth of the Beetle B species in all the other choices is due to a result of direct influence of the Beetle C species. The failure to reproduce due to a genetic mutation is not a result of competition.

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