Question

3.1.9 - 12.i: identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question. a rabbit population is affected by parasitism and disease, both of which are density - dependent limiting factors. which statement describes the effects of parasitism and disease on the rabbits? parasites and disease weaken or kill mostly the youngest and oldest rabbits, and not the rabbits of average age. as the density of the rabbit population increases, parasites and disease weaken or kill a greater percentage of rabbits. parasites and disease weaken or kill a constant percentage of the rabbit population, regardless of its density. as the density of the rabbit population increases, parasites and disease weaken or kill a lesser percentage of rabbits.

Explanation:

Density - dependent limiting factors affect a larger proportion of a population as its density increases. Parasites and diseases typically impact more individuals in a denser population, especially the young and old who may have weaker immune - systems. In a denser rabbit population, a greater percentage of rabbits will be affected by parasites and disease.

Answer:

As the density of the rabbit population increases, parasites and disease weaken or kill a greater percentage of rabbits.