Question

a fungus is plaguing carpenter ants living in rain forests. scientists call it the zombie - ant fungus because it takes over the brain of an infected ant before the ant dies. scientists were puzzled, however, as to why more ants were not affected by this fungus. recently they discovered that another, yet unnamed fungus has been attacking the zombie - ant fungus. it shares the zombie - ant fungus’ food source, but also makes it so the spores of the zombie - ant fungus can’t grow. scientists think this newly discovered fungus is the reason the rain forest isn’t crawling with zombie ants.
this fungus

the zombie - ant fungus.

replicates

dehydrates

justifies

suppresses

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze the context: the new fungus affects the zombie - ant fungus's growth. The word "suppresses" means to inhibit or prevent growth, which fits as the new fungus stops the zombie - ant fungus from growing, reducing zombie ants. "Replicates" would mean it copies, not stopping growth. "Dehydrates" is about removing water, not relevant to growth inhibition. "Justifies" is about giving a reason, not about growth. So "suppresses" is the correct choice.

Answer:

suppresses