The Next Few Questions Refer to the Following Description

question 70

Multiple Choice

The next few questions refer to the following description.
The cycads, a mostly tropical phylum of gymnosperms, evolved about 300 million years ago and were dominant forms during the Age of the Dinosaurs. Though their sperm are flagellated, their ovules are pollinated by beetles. These beetles get nutrition (they eat pollen) and shelter from the microsporophylls. Upon visiting megasporophylls, the beetles transfer pollen to the exposed ovules. In cycads, pollen cones and seed cones are borne on different plants. Cycads synthesize neurotoxins, especially in the seeds, that are effective against most animals, including humans.
-If the beetles survive by consuming cycad pollen, then whether the beetles should be considered mutualists with, or parasites of, the cycads depends upon

• A) the extent to which their overall activities affect cycad reproduction.
• B) the extent to which the beetles are affected by the neurotoxins.
• C) the extent to which the beetles damage the cycad flowers.
• D) the distance the beetles must travel between cycad microsporophylls and cycad megasporophylls.

---

Definitions:

Earnings Per Share

A financial metric that calculates the portion of a company's profit allocated to each outstanding share of common stock.

Interim Period Reports

Financial statements or reports that are issued for a period shorter than the fiscal year, such as quarterly or semi-annually.

Loss Contingency

A potential financial loss that may occur in the future due to a current event, the outcome of which is uncertain and will be resolved when one or more future events occur or fail to occur.

Provision for Loss

An accounting process to allocate anticipated losses from bad debts, depreciation, or other contingencies.