232,724 views
29 votes
29 votes
3

Select the correct answer.
A scientist is studying the population growth rates of two different types of bacteria under the same laboratory conditions. The number of bacterial cells
of type A is represented by the equation shown, where Prepresents the number of bacterial cells at the end of x hours.
P = 2 + 19
The number of bacterial cells of type B is represented by the equation shown, where Q represents the number of bacterial cells at the end of x hours.
Q = 3² + 18
Which statement is true?
OA. At the end of 21 hours, there will be the same number of bacterial cells of type A and type B.
OB. At the end of 3 hours, there will be the same number of bacterial cells of type A and type B.
OC. At the end of 1 hour, there will be the same number of bacterial cells of type A and type B.
OD. At the end of 18 hours, there will be the same number of bacterial cells of type A and type B.
Reset
Next

User Vahapt
by
2.9k points

1 Answer

6 votes
6 votes

Final answer:

The provided equations for bacterial population growth are incorrect and don't represent exponential growth. Exponential growth in bacteria is normally expressed with a base raised to the power that denotes doubling times.

Step-by-step explanation:

The equation for the number of bacterial cells of type A seems to be incomplete or incorrectly typed (P = 2 + 19), as well as the equation for type B (Q = 3² + 18). The given equations are not standard exponential growth formulas, which ordinarily have a base raised to the power of a variable to represent repeated doubling times. Exponential growth in bacteria is usually modeled with equations like P = P0 * 2x, where P0 is the initial amount of bacteria and x represents the number of doubling periods that occur.

The concept of exponential growth is crucial in understanding population dynamics. It is characterized by a growth rate that increases over time, meaning the population grows at an ever-increasing rate. To calculate the population at a given time, we would normally use an equation that involves a constant doubling of the population over regular intervals, which isn't represented in the given equations.

User Thomas Valadez
by
3.2k points