A Laboratory Experiment Followed the Growth of a Flour Beetle

question 35

Multiple Choice

A laboratory experiment followed the growth of a flour beetle (Tribolium sp.) population over time. At first, the population increased dramatically, but later the growth slowed and the population size leveled off. Although food (the wheat flour in which they live) was still abundant, the flour beetles resorted to eating their own eggs when population densities got high. What can we conclude about cannibalism in this species?

• A) We cannot reach any conclusions based on the information provided.
• B) It is a density- independent means of population control.
• C) It has no effect on the growth of the population, as food scarcity is clearly the limiting factor.
• D) It is clearly maladaptive, as populations always do best when their densities increase as much as possible.
• E) It is a density- dependent means of population control.

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Definitions:

Psychoactive Substances

Chemicals that alter a person's mental state by affecting the functioning of the brain and nervous system.

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A mental disorder characterized by disordered thinking, perceptions, and emotions, leading to significant social or occupational dysfunction.

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A substance obtained from the Cannabis plant that affects the mind, used for health-related or recreational reasons.

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