Question

questions:

1. an invasive insect, the woolly adelgid, is killing hemlock trees across the entire state. if this continues, fewer warblers will be able to find suitable nesting sites. one consequence of this may be that:

(1) there will be more food for birds that prey on warblers and other small birds
(2) fewer acorns will grow on the oak trees that also grow in the forest
(3) insect pest populations will increase because fewer warblers are present
(4) more warbler eggs will be hatched in central and south america to increase the population

1. strawberry plants grow runners off of the main parent plant, as shown in the photo below.

photo of strawberry runners
new strawberry plants that are genetically identical to the parent plant develop along the runners. this phenomenon can be best explained by the fact that these strawberry plants are produced by
(1) asexual reproduction, and the new plants develop by mitosis and differentiation
(2) sexual reproduction, and the new plants develop by meiosis and fertilization
(3) asexual reproduction, and the new plants develop by meiosis and fertilization
(4) sexual reproduction, and the new plants develop by mitosis and differentiation

Explanation:

Question 1

To solve this, we analyze the food web/ecosystem impact. The woolly adelgid kills hemlock trees, reducing warbler nesting sites, so warbler population decreases. Birds preying on warblers would have less food (since warblers are fewer), but option (3) says insect pest populations increase because fewer warblers (which might eat insects) are present. Let's check each option:

• (1): Fewer warblers mean less food for their predators, not more. Eliminate.
• (2): Hemlock trees dying doesn't directly relate to oak acorns. Eliminate.
• (3): Warblers may eat insect pests; if warblers decrease, insect pests can increase. This makes sense.
• (4): Warbler eggs hatching elsewhere doesn't relate to local hemlock/tree impact. Eliminate.

Strawberry runners produce genetically identical plants, so it's asexual reproduction (no gamete fusion). Asexual reproduction uses mitosis (to produce identical cells) and differentiation (cells become specialized). Sexual reproduction involves meiosis and fertilization (which introduce genetic variation, so new plants wouldn't be identical). So:

• (1): Asexual (runners, identical), mitosis (cell division for growth) and differentiation (cell specialization) – correct.
• (2): Sexual reproduction would involve meiosis/fertilization, leading to variation – incorrect.
• (3): Asexual doesn't use meiosis/fertilization – incorrect.
• (4): Sexual reproduction with mitosis/differentiation is wrong – incorrect.

Answer:

(3) insect pest populations will increase because fewer warblers are present

Question 2