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).

3. Based on the passage, would R. flavipes be classified as an autotroph or as a detritivore, and why?

Answer and Explanation

Your Answer is

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

General knowledge questions.

In the passage IV of the B02 science part, we have seen the word autotroph, which means "autotrophic organisms". For example, plants can produce their own nutrients through photosynthesis, so plants belong to autotroph; the prefix detritivore of detritivore -From detritus "residue, detritus", which means "detritus eater, scavenger". Termites eat wood that has been felled or fallen and collapsed, so it belongs to detritivore.