Question

14
based on the food web (figure 2), what effect will a decrease in the algae population have on the finger mullet population in the estuary?
a the finger mullet population will increase because the zooplankton population will decrease.
b the finger mullet population will decrease because the zooplankton population will increase.
c the finger mullet population will decrease because the zooplankton population will decrease.
d the finger mullet population will stay the same because algae is not a direct food source for the mullets.
a researcher places cells from three different fish in the same concentration of salt water. then the researcher measures the size of each cell at the end of a 5 - minute period of time.

Explanation:

In a food web, algae are a producer, zooplankton eat algae, and finger mullet likely eat zooplankton. If algae population decreases, zooplankton (which feed on algae) will decrease. Then, finger mullet (which feed on zooplankton) will have less food, so their population will decrease. Option A says the finger mullet population increases (incorrect, as food decreases). Option B says finger mullet population increases (wrong, same reason). Option D says mullet population stays same (incorrect, as food source is affected). Option C correctly states the finger mullet population will decrease because zooplankton (their food, via algae) decreases.

Answer:

C. The finger mullet population will decrease because the zooplankton population will decrease.