Passage III
Amphiprion percula, a species of clownfish, are kept in many home aquariums. Two experiments were conducted to determine how diet and stocking density (number of fish per liter of seawater, fish/L) affect the specific growth rate (SGR; percent increase in length per day, percent/day) in A. percula. Experiment 1 Each of 12 identical 15 L tanks received 10 L of seawater having a salinity of 33 parts per thousand (ppt), a temperature of 27°C, and a pH of 8.2. Salinity, temperature, and pH were kept constant over the course of the experiment. A. percula of similar lengths were selected, and their lengths were measured, in cm, with a ruler. Then they were equally distributed among the tanks at a stocking density of 1 fish/L. The tanks were then divided equally into 4 groups. For 4 months, each group was fed a different diet (Diets Q−T). Each group was fed the same mass of food 3 times daily. At the end of 4 months, the length of each fish was measured, in cm, with a ruler, and the SGR of each fish was calculated. The average SGR was then determined for each group (see Table 1). Table 1 Average SGR Diet (percent/day) Q 0.30 R 0.40 S 0.50 T 0.35 Experiment 2 The procedures for Experiment 1 were repeated except that each group was kept at a different stocking density, 0.5 fish/L, 1 fish/L, 2 fish/L, or 3 fish/L, and all fish were fed Diet T. At the end of 4 months, the average SGR was determined for each group (see Table 2). Table 2 Stocking density Average SGR (fish/L) (percent/day) 0.5 0.50 1 0.35 2 0.25 3 0.20 Tables adapted from João Chambel et al., “Effect of Stocking Density and Different Diets on Growth of Percula Clownfish, Amphiprion percula (Lacepede, 1802).” ©2015 by Springer.
Based on the results of Experiment 1, if Experiment 2 were repeated except that all the A. percula were fed Diet R, would the average SGRs more likely have been lower or higher for each group?
Correct answer: H
Explanation from ACT Education Corp.
This question also appears in ACT QuizMe official practice questions, which explains every answer choice.
A. Incorrect. The description of Experiment 2 indicates that all fish were fed Diet T. The SGR for Diet T was 0.35 percent/day while the SGR for Diet R was 0.40 percent/day, which is 0.05 percent/day greater, not less, than the SGR for Diet T. Based on this information, if Experiment 2 were repeated but all the A. percula were fed Diet R, the average SGRs would more likely be higher, not lower.
B. Incorrect. The description of Experiment 2 indicates that all fish were fed Diet T. The SGR for Diet T was 0.35 percent/day while the SGR for Diet R was 0.40 percent/day, which is 0.05 percent/day greater, not 0.10 percent/day less, than the SGR for Diet T. Based on this information, if Experiment 2 were repeated but all the A. percula were fed Diet R, the average SGRs would more likely be higher, not lower.
C. Correct. The description of Experiment 2 indicates that all fish were fed Diet T. The results of Experiment 1 in Table 1 show that the SGR for Diet T was 0.35 percent/day while the SGR for Diet R was 0.40 percent/day, which is 0.05 percent/day greater than the SGR for Diet T. Based on this information, if Experiment 2 were repeated but all the A. percula were fed Diet R, the average SGRs would more likely be higher.
D. Incorrect. The description of Experiment 2 indicates that all fish were fed Diet T. The SGR for Diet T was 0.35 percent/day while the SGR for Diet R was 0.40 percent/day, which is 0.05 percent/day greater than the SGR for Diet T, not 0.10 percent greater.
Loading…
Searched on YouTube by reporting category, not by question text. Open this search on YouTube →
Extracted from a print-layout PDF: equations, figures and charts do not survive as text. Use the original PDF for anything that renders poorly. ACT® is a registered trademark of ACT Education Corp., which is not affiliated with, does not sponsor, and does not endorse this project.