Passage I

The termite Reticulitermes flavipes consumes wood and bark. A study examined whether the consumption of wood or bark mulch by R. flavipes varies with the type of mulch or the age of the mulch. Separate portion of each of 5 types of mulch were aged (allowed to decay) for 1, 24, and 48 weeks. Then, 2 g of each type of 1-week-old mulch were put into a box, 2 g of each type of 24-week-old mulch were put into a second box, and 2 g of each type of 48-week-old mulch were put into a third box. Next, 1 g of R. flavipes was added to each box. After 15 days, the mass of mulch consumed, in milligrams (mg), was determined for each type and age of mulch (see figure).

2. Which of the following statements about the effect of mulch age on the consumption of mulch by R. flavipes is consistent with the figure? As mulch age increased from 1 week through 48 weeks, the mass of mulch con­sumed by R. flavipes:

Answer and Explanation

Your Answer is

Correct Answer is J

Explanation

As shown in the figure, in the period from 1 week to 24 weeks, termites’ intake of various trees did increase with time; but in the period from 24 weeks to 28 weeks, termites’ intake of oak & The consumption of pine bark has been reduced again.