Question

For some predators, as prey density increases, the rate of consumption slows and eventually levels off with satiation. This is a type _____ functional response.

1) I
2) II
3) III
4) IV

Answer 1

In biology, the type II functional response describes a predator's consumption rate that increases with prey density but then levels off when satiation is reached, relating to the concept of density-dependent regulation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The scenario described in the question is an example of a type II functional response. In ecology, this refers to the situation where, as prey density increases, the rate at which a predator consumes prey increases too, but eventually slows and reaches a plateau due to satiation.

Initially, each additional prey item is easier to find, leading to an increase in consumption rate. However, once the predator reaches satiation, further increases in prey density do not lead to higher consumption rates.

Density-dependent regulation is a concept in ecology that suggests that factors such as predation become more intense as a population grows denser.

In this context, a type II functional response indicates that there is a point at which the rate of predation cannot increase, regardless of the number of prey available, likely due to limitations in the predatory species' capacity to process food or the time it takes to handle and consume each prey item.