Question

biology graphing activity
for each research project described below, draw the appropriate graph (live vs. bar), label all axes, create a title, and answer the questions. be sure to follow all the graphing guidelines discussed in class.

1. a study was conducted on the feeding preferences of slugs. specimens were fed a variety of food sources and data were collected on the number of grams of each type of food eaten. construct the appropriate type of graph and make a conclusion on food preference.

food source	food eaten (grams)
mushroom	8.2
dog food	0
spinach	6.5
apple	8.6
peach	5.4
orange	1

a. what type of graph will you use? why?
b. what is the dependent variable?
c. what is the independent variable?
d. which food source was favored by slugs the most? explain how you know this.
e. be sure to title your graph and label your axes.

Explanation:

Step1: Determine graph type

A bar - graph is suitable as we are comparing discrete categories (food sources) with a numerical value (grams of food eaten).

Step2: Identify variables

The amount of food eaten depends on the food source. So, the dependent variable is the amount of food eaten (in grams), and the independent variable is the food source.

Step3: Find favored food source

We compare the values in the "Food Eaten (grams)" column. The highest value is 8.6 grams for apples.

Step4: Title and label axes

A suitable title could be "Slug Feeding Preferences". The x - axis can be labeled "Food Source" and the y - axis can be labeled "Food Eaten (grams)".

Answer:

a. A bar - graph. Because we are comparing discrete categories (food sources) with a numerical value (grams of food eaten).
b. The dependent variable is the number of grams of food eaten.
c. The independent variable is the food source.
d. Apples were favored by slugs the most. We know this because the slugs ate 8.6 grams of apples, which is the highest amount among the food sources.
e. Title: "Slug Feeding Preferences". X - axis: "Food Source". Y - axis: "Food Eaten (grams)"