Some Marine Snails (Species L) Produce Large Numbers of Small

question 28

Multiple Choice

Some marine snails (species L) produce large numbers of small eggs that are shed into the sea, hatch at an early stage of development, and feed on microscopic plants. Other marine snails (species S) produce few eggs that are retained for a long time within the body of the mother snail in a brood pouch, hatch at an advanced stage of development, and immediately begin to feed on the surfaces of large plants like the adults. A biologist discovers approximately equal numbers of adults of species L and S in the same area over many generations. While studying the two species of snails, the biologist hypothesizes that the two species expend approximately the same amount of energy producing young. What assumption is the biologist making?

• A) Species S snails could produce as many eggs as species L snails under certain conditions.
• B) An egg of species S contains more energy than an egg of species L.
• C) Since species L snails produce more eggs, these eggs probably contain more energy.
• D) Species S snails provide some energy to the young when they are in the brood pouch.