Final answer:
The shark in a fish tank analogy suggests that environment influences growth, with sharks growing larger in the expansive ocean compared to the constrained space of a fish tank. This parallels how people can achieve greater personal growth by changing to more expansive and stimulating environments. Option C) Environment influences growth is the correct answer
Step-by-step explanation:
The analogy of the shark in a fish tank is suggesting that environment influences growth. When a shark is confined to the small space of a fish tank, it only grows to a size suitable for that limited environment, typically up to 8 inches. However, in the ocean, where it has ample space and resources, the same shark species can grow much larger, reaching sizes of 8 feet or more.
This principle applies not only to physical growth but to personal and intellectual development as well. The idea is that when a person is surrounded by a limited environment or one with 'small thinking' people, their own potential for growth is restricted. Conversely, by changing one's environment to one that is more expansive and filled with bigger thinkers, a person can achieve greater personal growth, much like the shark in the ocean.
Sharks have a variety of adaptations that have allowed them to become powerful predators in marine ecosystems. Most sharks are carnivorous, feeding on live prey with their strong jaws and sharp teeth. Sharks have an abrasive skin covered with placoid scales, and teeth that likely evolved from rows of these scales. This makes them highly effective hunters in their natural habitats.
Moreover, the whale shark, despite its massive size, is a filter feeder, consuming tiny fish and plankton rather than larger prey. The ocean environment provides sharks with the space they need to grow to their full potential and the rich diversity of food sources necessary to sustain them.