Question

question 15
fish whose dna has been modified to include genetic material from other species are known as transgenic. some transgenic fish have genes from jellyfish that result in fluorescence (that is, they glow in the dark). although these fish were initially engineered for research purposes in the 1990s, they were sold as pets in the 2000s and can now be found in the wild in creeks in brazil. a student in a biology seminar who is writing a paper on these fish asserts that their escape from brazilian fish farms into the wild may have significant negative long-term ecological effects.

which quotation from a researcher would best support the student’s assertion?

a) “in one site in the wild where transgenic fish were observed, females outnumbered males, while in another the numbers of females and males were equivalent.”

b) “though some presence of transgenic fish in the wild has been recorded, there are insufficient studies of the impact of those fish on the ecosystems into which they are introduced.”

c) “the ecosystems into which transgenic fish are known to have been introduced may represent a subset of the ecosystems into which the fish have actually been introduced.”

d) “through interbreeding, transgenic fish might introduce the trait of fluorescence into wild fish populations, making those populations more vulnerable to predators.”

Explanation:

To support the student's assertion about negative long - term ecological effects of transgenic fish escaping into the wild, we need a quotation that shows a harmful impact on the ecosystem.

• Option A: Talks about the ratio of females to males in transgenic fish populations. This has no direct relation to negative ecological effects, so it does not support the assertion.
• Option B: States that there are insufficient studies on the impact. This does not provide evidence of negative effects, so it cannot support the assertion.
• Option C: Is about the extent of ecosystems where transgenic fish have been introduced. It does not address the negative ecological effects, so it is not a supporting quotation.
• Option D: Explains that transgenic fish might introduce the trait of fluorescence into wild fish populations through interbreeding, which makes those populations more vulnerable to predators. This is a negative long - term ecological effect as it can disrupt the wild fish population dynamics and the ecosystem.

Answer:

D. "Through interbreeding, transgenic fish might introduce the trait of fluorescence into wild fish populations, making those populations more vulnerable to predators."