Question

A species of flowering plant lives in open meadows in temperate regions of North America. Each plant produces either blue, purple, or red flowers. Several different pollinators visit the flowers, and the plant is preyed upon by several insect species and herbivores. Butterflies prefer red and purple flowers, and bees prefer blue flowers. The population numbers for this species have remained constant over the time period shown in the graph. Data collected over several years for one population of this species are shown in the graph below.

Which of the following scenarios is the most likely explanation of the data?

A) The population of pollinators, especially butterflies, has significantly increased over the years, leading to a higher preference for red and purple flowers.

B) There has been a change in the environmental conditions that favor the growth of red and purple flowers, resulting in their increased prevalence in the population.

C) Insect species and herbivores that prey on this plant have decreased in number, leading to a higher survival rate for all flower colors.

D) The blue flower variety has developed a more efficient means of self-pollination, reducing the reliance on pollinators, and thus, maintaining a consistent population.

E) There has been no significant change in environmental factors or pollinator populations; the data can be attributed to random fluctuations within the population."

Please choose the option (A, B, C, D, or E) that you think is the most likely explanation for the data.




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Answer 1

The most likely explanation for the consistent population data of the flowering plant is that the number of insect species and herbivores that prey on the plant has decreased, leading to a higher survival rate for all flower colors.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most likely explanation for the data is option C) Insect species and herbivores that prey on this plant have decreased in number, leading to a higher survival rate for all flower colors.

The graph shows a consistent population size over time, indicating that the population has not been significantly affected by changes in environmental conditions or pollinator populations. Therefore, options A and B can be ruled out.

Option D can also be ruled out because the graph does not show any significant changes in the population size or distribution of the blue flower variety. If the blue flowers had developed a more efficient means of self-pollination, it would likely be reflected in the population data.

Option E, which suggests random fluctuations within the population, cannot be fully ruled out without additional data. However, given the consistent population size, it is less likely to be the most plausible explanation.

Therefore, option C, which suggests a decrease in the number of insect species and herbivores that prey on the plant, leading to a higher survival rate for all flower colors, is the most likely explanation for the data.