Question

Which of the following represent positive feedback loops? (Select two.)

a) Termites forage for plant, litter, and waste, then bring it back to their mounds for use as building material and food. In doing this, they create rich, moist soil around their mounds, which in turn promotes more plant growth. This creates more litter and waste as plants shed and animals come by to graze/browse.
b) A zebra hears a noise and becomes frightened, so it runs away. Other zebras see this, assume there's danger, and run away as well. Pretty soon, the whole herd is running.
c) An increase in the gazelle population causes an increase in the cheetah population, which then brings the gazelle population back down.

Answer 1

Positive feedback loops occur when a change in one variable leads to an increase in another variable, amplifying the original change. Two examples include termites creating rich soil and zebras running in a herd.

Step-by-step explanation:

Positive feedback loops occur when a change in one variable leads to an increase in another variable, which then amplifies the original change, creating a cycle. Two examples of positive feedback loops among the given options are:

1. Termites forage for plant, litter, and waste, then bring it back to their mounds for use as building material and food. In doing this, they create rich, moist soil around their mounds, which in turn promotes more plant growth. This creates more litter and waste as plants shed and animals come by to graze/browse.
2. A zebra hears a noise and becomes frightened, so it runs away. Other zebras see this, assume there's danger, and run away as well. Pretty soon, the whole herd is running.