Question

directions: read each case study and determine if the organisms are k or r strategists. case study 1: sharks sharks have few babies over their long lifetimes. they take care of their young inside the mothers body until they are strong enough to survive. sharks grow slowly and live many years, with most babies surviving due to this care. k strategists because their long life time and the strong enough. case study 2: ants ant colonies produce many eggs, and most young ants must survive dangerous conditions outside the nest. ants grow quickly and mature fast to help support the colony. because many young ants dont survive, the colony produces large numbers regularly. case study 3: salmon salmon lay thousands of eggs in rivers. most eggs and young fish are eaten by predators or washed away by currents. the few salmon that survive grow quickly and return to rivers to reproduce, continuing the cycle. case study 4: wolves wolves usually have a few pups each year and care for them in the den. the parents protect and feed the pups until they can hunt on their own. most wolf pups survive because of this care, but the population grows slowly.

Explanation:

• Case Study 1 (Sharks): K - strategists produce few offspring, have long - life spans, and provide parental care. Sharks fit this as they have few babies, long lives, and care for young.
• Case Study 2 (Ants): R - strategists produce many offspring, have short life - cycles, and little parental care. Ants produce many eggs, young face danger outside the nest, and grow quickly.
• Case Study 3 (Salmon): R - strategists as they lay thousands of eggs, most eggs and young are lost to predators or currents, and the few survivors grow quickly.
• Case Study 4 (Wolves): K - strategists as they have few pups, provide parental care in the den until pups can hunt, and population growth is slow.

Answer:

Case Study 1: K - strategists
Case Study 2: R - strategists
Case Study 3: R - strategists
Case Study 4: K - strategists