Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumCommand of Evidence: Textual

Ecologist Dr. Sunita Patil and her team investigated the relationship between soil nutrient levels and the defensive strategies of acacia plants, which produce extrafloral nectaries (glands that secrete sugary nectar) to attract protective mutualist ants. Patil hypothesized that under high soil nitrogen conditions, acacia plants reduce their resource allocation to these nectaries because the plants can instead prioritize direct growth and chemical defenses. Which finding, if true, would most directly support Patil's hypothesis?

  1. Acacia plants grown in nitrogen-rich soil produced significantly fewer extrafloral nectaries per leaf than did acacia plants grown in nitrogen-depleted soil.Answer
  2. B
    Mutualist ants nesting on acacia plants in nitrogen-rich soil patrolled the leaves more frequently than did ants on plants in nitrogen-depleted soil.
  3. C
    Under high nitrogen conditions, mutualist ants preferred nesting on plant species other than acacia plants.
  4. D
    Acacia plants require both nitrogen-rich soil and mutualist ants to successfully reproduce in their natural environments.

Answer

Acacia plants grown in nitrogen-rich soil produced significantly fewer extrafloral nectaries per leaf than did acacia plants grown in nitrogen-depleted soil.
The correct option directly supports the hypothesis by providing data showing that high soil nitrogen levels correlate with a decrease in the production of extrafloral nectaries (glands that secrete nectar), demonstrating the predicted reduction in resource allocation.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the researchers' hypothesis in the passage.
The hypothesis is that acacia plants will decrease their resource allocation to extrafloral nectaries when soil nitrogen levels are high.
To evaluate which finding supports the hypothesis, we must first clearly define what the hypothesis predicts.
2
Analyze each option to see which one provides evidence of decreased nectary allocation in high-nitrogen conditions.
The finding that plants in nitrogen-rich soil produced significantly fewer nectaries per leaf compared to those in nitrogen-depleted soil directly aligns with the prediction.
This comparison directly links high soil nitrogen to a reduction in nectary production, thus confirming the proposed relationship.

Key Concept

Identifying textual evidence that directly supports a specific scientific hypothesis
Rate this question

Topics

Command of Evidence: Textual

More questions from this topic