Question

question 7 of 27 diet and microplastic exposure a: prey ingestion rate (cell number) b: prey ingestion rate (mass) c: size class of prey taken select the statement that describes the result obtained in graph c. in other words, explain what differences are seen in the size of algal cells taken by the control versus those taken by the group exposed to microplastics. copepods that were exposed to microplastics took a wider variety of prey sizes compared with copepods that were in the control group. compared with copepods in the control group, copepods that were exposed to microplastics took significantly more small prey and significantly less large prey. copepods that were exposed to microplastics took about the same overall quantity of algae as copepods that were in the control group. compared with copepods that were exposed to microplastics, copepods in the control group took significantly more small prey and significantly less large prey.

Explanation:

Looking at Graph C, for the size class \(11.6 - 12.6\mu g\), the control (red bar) has a very low value (close to \(1\times1000\) algae ingested per copepod per day), while the microplastics group (green bar) has a higher value (around \(3.5\times1000\)). For the size class \(16.0 - 17.0\mu g\), the control has a value around \(2\times1000\), and the microplastics group has a value close to \(1\times1000\). The asterisks (*) indicate significant differences. So, compared with copepods exposed to microplastics, copepods in the control group took significantly more small - sized prey (e.g., \(11.6 - 12.6\mu g\)) and significantly less large - sized prey (e.g., \(16.0 - 17.0\mu g\)).

Answer:

Compared with copepods exposed to microplastics, copepods in the control group took significantly more small prey and significantly less large prey.