Answer to Question #175315 in Microbiology for Aliya

Question

a)     Assume the population of Bacteria B completely dies off. Bacteria A are now transferred to an open environment where they have lots of room for growth and a continual supply of food. Over the course of three days, the population of bacteria steadily increases as follows:

 

 

Day 1: 1500 bacteria

Day 2: 3000 bacteria

Day 3: 7000 bacteria

Day 4: 13,000 bacteria

 

 

Is this population of bacteria r-selected or k-selected? Explain how you arrived at your answer. Hint: Review your definitions of “r” and “k.” (2 marks)

 

 

This bacteria is k selected, because k-selected species mature slowly, they have a longer life span and they provide more parental care so that when their offspring matures it can survive in any environment.  is my answer right?

Answer 1

K-selected species produce offspring that each have a higher probability of survival to maturity. Although not always the case, K-selection is more common in larger animals, like whales or elephants, with longer lifespans and overlapping generations. The young tend to be altricial.