Question

\the ant, butterfly, and the oregano plant\
by nsikan akpan

in a new study, thomas and an international collaboration of biologists outline an answer: the oregano plant uses chemical warfare.

the researchers found that when ants invade oregano’s territory, the plant makes a chemical agent that first tries to directly kill the ants, but then attracts pregnant large blue butterflies and their ant - gobbling larvae as reinforcements. the findings were published july 7 in the proceedings of the royal society b: biological sciences proceedings of the royal society b: biological sciences

ant - loving butterflies, known as myrmecophiles, are common. of the 17,500 butterfly species on the planet, nearly a quarter boast larvae that interact with ants. but experts say the complexity of this newly discovered battle consisting of moves and countermoves is beautiful, unique and a first - of - its - kind discovery.

of the known myrmecophiles, i’m not aware of another relationship that involves three species at once or middlemen to find prey, said ecologist karsten schönrogge of center for ecology & hydrology in england, who wasn’t involved in the study.

use the passage from \the ant, butterfly, and their chemical warfare with the oregano plant\ by nsikan akpan to answer the question.
how does the author effectively communicate the interactions in the passage?
(1 point)

○ by referencing reputable studies and scientists to build credibility with the audience.

○ by employing loaded language to indicate the dire consequences for the social parasites.

○ by using a mixture of descriptive and sequential text structure to demonstrate the interconnected nature of the ants, butterflies, and oregano plants.

○ by using a compare/contrast text structure to explain the survival strategies of the ants, butterflies, and oregano plants.

Explanation:

1. Analyze Option 1: The passage does reference a study and scientists, but the main focus is on explaining interactions, not just building credibility. So this is not the best choice.
2. Analyze Option 2: There is no loaded language indicating dire consequences for social parasites. The passage is more descriptive of the interactions. So this is incorrect.
3. Analyze Option 3: The passage describes the process (sequential: ants invade, oregano makes chemical, attracts butterflies) and also describes the elements (descriptive: details about the species, the chemical warfare). This shows the interconnected nature of ants, butterflies, and oregano plants. This fits.
4. Analyze Option 4: The passage is not using compare/contrast. It is explaining a sequence of interactions and relationships, not comparing and contrasting survival strategies. So this is incorrect.

Answer:

C. By using a mixture of descriptive and sequential text structure to demonstrate the interconnected nature of the ants, butterflies, and oregano plants.