ACT Exam  >  ACT Questions  >  Directions:Read the passages and choose the b... Start Learning for Free
Directions: Read the passages and choose the best answer to each question.
Passage
Predation is an interaction between individuals of 2 species in which one is harmed (the prey), and the other is helped (the predator). Predation can occur among plants and animals as well as between plants and animals. Some biologists contend that herbivores, or plant eaters, are predators. Table 1 indicates some characteristics and examples of certain predators.

Predation is very important in maintaining a natural balance in any given ecosystem. For example, without predators, prey populations tend to grow exponentially.
Without prey, predator populations tend to decline exponentially. Predators consume individual members of the prey population, thereby controlling the overall numbers in the ecosystem. The number of prey consumed depends on the number of prey present as well as the number of predators present. The rate of change in the number of prey is a function of the birth of new prey minus the death of other prey, due either to predation or other causes. The death rate is assumed to depend on the number of prey available and the number of predators. The rate of change in the number of predators is a function of the births of new predators—which depends on the number of prey—minus the death of some predators.
Over long periods of time, predator and prey tend to balance each other out. This is called the predator-prey cycle. Prey numbers will increase when predator numbers decrease. When the number of prey reaches a certain point, predators will start to increase until they eat enough prey to cause a decline in prey numbers. When this happens, the number of predators will begin to decrease because they can’t find enough prey to eat, and the cycle will begin again. Figure 1 represents an example of a predator-prey cycle.
Q. According to information in the passage, the number of prey consumed in an ecosystem is dependent on:
  • a)
    the natural balance of the ecosystem.
  • b)
    the total number of predators that die because of predation.
  • c)
    the type of parasites available in the ecosystem.
  • d)
    the number of predators present and the number of prey present.
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
Directions:Read the passages and choose the best answer to each questi...
The best answer is D. The passage states that “the number of prey consumed depends on the number of prey present as well as the number of predators present.” The other answer choices are not supported by the passage.
Explore Courses for ACT exam

Similar ACT Doubts

Directions:Read the passages and choose the best answer to each question.PassagePredation is an interaction between individuals of 2 species in which one is harmed (the prey), and the other is helped (the predator). Predation can occur among plants and animals as well as between plants and animals. Some biologists contend that herbivores, or plant eaters, are predators. Table 1 indicates some characteristics and examples of certain predators.Predation is very important in maintaining a natural balance in any given ecosystem. For example, without predators, prey populations tend to grow exponentially.Without prey, predator populations tend to decline exponentially. Predators consume individual members of the prey population, thereby controlling the overall numbers in the ecosystem. The number of prey consumed depends on the number of prey present as well as the number of predators present. The rate of change in the number of prey is a function of the birth of new prey minus the death of other prey, due either to predation or other causes. The death rate is assumed to depend on the number of prey available and the number of predators. The rate of change in the number of predators is a function of the births of new predators—which depends on the number of prey—minus the death of some predators.Over long periods of time, predator and prey tend to balance each other out. This is called the predator-prey cycle. Prey numbers will increase when predator numbers decrease. When the number of prey reaches a certain point, predators will start to increase until they eat enough prey to cause a decline in prey numbers. When this happens, the number of predators will begin to decrease because they can’t find enough prey to eat, and the cycle will begin again. Figure 1 represents an example of a predator-prey cycle.Q. Studies have shown that a certain species of deer will only eat a specific type of plant found in the deer’s natural habitat, and nothing else. Is this finding supported by the information in the passage?

Directions:Read the passages and choose the best answer to each question.PassagePredation is an interaction between individuals of 2 species in which one is harmed (the prey), and the other is helped (the predator). Predation can occur among plants and animals as well as between plants and animals. Some biologists contend that herbivores, or plant eaters, are predators. Table 1 indicates some characteristics and examples of certain predators.Predation is very important in maintaining a natural balance in any given ecosystem. For example, without predators, prey populations tend to grow exponentially.Without prey, predator populations tend to decline exponentially. Predators consume individual members of the prey population, thereby controlling the overall numbers in the ecosystem. The number of prey consumed depends on the number of prey present as well as the number of predators present. The rate of change in the number of prey is a function of the birth of new prey minus the death of other prey, due either to predation or other causes. The death rate is assumed to depend on the number of prey available and the number of predators. The rate of change in the number of predators is a function of the births of new predators—which depends on the number of prey—minus the death of some predators.Over long periods of time, predator and prey tend to balance each other out. This is called the predator-prey cycle. Prey numbers will increase when predator numbers decrease. When the number of prey reaches a certain point, predators will start to increase until they eat enough prey to cause a decline in prey numbers. When this happens, the number of predators will begin to decrease because they can’t find enough prey to eat, and the cycle will begin again. Figure 1 represents an example of a predator-prey cycle.Q. Based on information in the passage and in Table 1, an herbivore is

Directions:Read the passages and choose the best answer to each question.PassagePredation is an interaction between individuals of 2 species in which one is harmed (the prey), and the other is helped (the predator). Predation can occur among plants and animals as well as between plants and animals. Some biologists contend that herbivores, or plant eaters, are predators. Table 1 indicates some characteristics and examples of certain predators.Predation is very important in maintaining a natural balance in any given ecosystem. For example, without predators, prey populations tend to grow exponentially.Without prey, predator populations tend to decline exponentially. Predators consume individual members of the prey population, thereby controlling the overall numbers in the ecosystem. The number of prey consumed depends on the number of prey present as well as the number of predators present. The rate of change in the number of prey is a function of the birth of new prey minus the death of other prey, due either to predation or other causes. The death rate is assumed to depend on the number of prey available and the number of predators. The rate of change in the number of predators is a function of the births of new predators—which depends on the number of prey—minus the death of some predators.Over long periods of time, predator and prey tend to balance each other out. This is called the predator-prey cycle. Prey numbers will increase when predator numbers decrease. When the number of prey reaches a certain point, predators will start to increase until they eat enough prey to cause a decline in prey numbers. When this happens, the number of predators will begin to decrease because they can’t find enough prey to eat, and the cycle will begin again. Figure 1 represents an example of a predator-prey cycle.Q. Based on Figure 1, during which year were the greatest number of prey animals available?

Directions:Read the passages and choose the best answer to each question.PassagePredation is an interaction between individuals of 2 species in which one is harmed (the prey), and the other is helped (the predator). Predation can occur among plants and animals as well as between plants and animals. Some biologists contend that herbivores, or plant eaters, are predators. Table 1 indicates some characteristics and examples of certain predators.Predation is very important in maintaining a natural balance in any given ecosystem. For example, without predators, prey populations tend to grow exponentially.Without prey, predator populations tend to decline exponentially. Predators consume individual members of the prey population, thereby controlling the overall numbers in the ecosystem. The number of prey consumed depends on the number of prey present as well as the number of predators present. The rate of change in the number of prey is a function of the birth of new prey minus the death of other prey, due either to predation or other causes. The death rate is assumed to depend on the number of prey available and the number of predators. The rate of change in the number of predators is a function of the births of new predators—which depends on the number of prey—minus the death of some predators.Over long periods of time, predator and prey tend to balance each other out. This is called the predator-prey cycle. Prey numbers will increase when predator numbers decrease. When the number of prey reaches a certain point, predators will start to increase until they eat enough prey to cause a decline in prey numbers. When this happens, the number of predators will begin to decrease because they can’t find enough prey to eat, and the cycle will begin again. Figure 1 represents an example of a predator-prey cycle.Q. Based on Figure 1, during the first year, predator numbers were mostly

Direction:Read the passages and choose the best answer to each question.PassageNATURAL SCIENCE: Heredity and Gene-linkage: A Possible RelationshipThe ability of every organism on earth to repro-duce is the hallmark of life. Reproduction can be eitherasexual, involving a single parent, or sexual, involvingtwo parents. Sexual reproduction begets offspring that(5)inherit half of their genes from each parent. This trans-mission of genes from one generation to the next iscalled heredity.Each hereditary unit, the gene, contains specificencoded information that translates into an organism’s(10)inherited traits. Inherited traits range from hair color,to height to susceptibility to disease. Genes are actu-ally segments of the DNA molecule, and it is theprecise replication of DNA that produces copies ofgenes that can be passed from parents to offspring.(15)DNA is subdivided into chromosomes that each includehundreds or thousands of genes. The specific traits orcharacteristics of each offspring depend on the arrange-ment and combination of the chromosomes supplied byboth parents.(20)Genes located on the same chromosome tend tobe inherited together. Transmission of these so-calledlinked genes can affect the inheritance of two dif-ferent characteristics. Thomas Hunt Morgan was thefirst biologist to associate specific genes with specific(25)chromosomes. In the early 20th century, Morganselected a species of fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster,on which to study his genetic theory. The fruit fly is aprolific breeder, producing hundreds of offspring in asingle mating. In addition, the fruit fly has only four(30)pairs of easily distinguishable chromosomes, makingit the ideal experimental organism. Soon after Morgancommenced working with Drosophila, he began tonotice variations in certain traits.For example, Morgan noticed that the natural(35)characteristics of Drosophila included gray bodiesand normal wings. However, mutant examples ofthese characteristics sometimes appeared; these flieshad black bodies, and much smaller, vestigial wings.Morgan crossed female flies that appeared normal, but(40)carried the mutant genes, with males that exhibited themutations. He expected the offspring to include equalnumbers of gray flies with normal wings, black flieswith vestigial wings, gray flies with vestigial wings,and black flies with normal wings. What he found was(45)a disproportionate number of gray flies with normalwings and black flies with vestigial wings, which sug-gested to him that the genes for body color and wingsize are transmitted together from parents to offspringbecause they are located on the same chromosome and(50)must be somehow linked.Additional research conducted by Morgan onD. melanogaster demonstrated that many, often spon-taneous mutations occur across generations. Theseobservations, together with the results of experiments(55)carried out to test his theory on linked genes, ledMorgan to postulate that the location of the genes onthe chromosomes contributes to the likelihood of anygiven gene being transmitted from parent to offspring.This theory of linear arrangement, along with Morgan’s(60)other important contributions to the field of genetics,led to his being awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiologyor Medicine in 1933.Current research exploring the significance oflinked genes reveals that many factors affect the trans-(65)mission of certain traits from parents to offspring. Thelocation of genes on a particular chromosome is but oneof a multitude of determinants involved in whether ornot a characteristic will be inherited.Q. What is the main idea of the last paragraph?

Top Courses for ACT

Directions:Read the passages and choose the best answer to each question.PassagePredation is an interaction between individuals of 2 species in which one is harmed (the prey), and the other is helped (the predator). Predation can occur among plants and animals as well as between plants and animals. Some biologists contend that herbivores, or plant eaters, are predators. Table 1 indicates some characteristics and examples of certain predators.Predation is very important in maintaining a natural balance in any given ecosystem. For example, without predators, prey populations tend to grow exponentially.Without prey, predator populations tend to decline exponentially. Predators consume individual members of the prey population, thereby controlling the overall numbers in the ecosystem. The number of prey consumed depends on the number of prey present as well as the number of predators present. The rate of change in the number of prey is a function of the birth of new prey minus the death of other prey, due either to predation or other causes. The death rate is assumed to depend on the number of prey available and the number of predators. The rate of change in the number of predators is a function of the births of new predators—which depends on the number of prey—minus the death of some predators.Over long periods of time, predator and prey tend to balance each other out. This is called the predator-prey cycle. Prey numbers will increase when predator numbers decrease. When the number of prey reaches a certain point, predators will start to increase until they eat enough prey to cause a decline in prey numbers. When this happens, the number of predators will begin to decrease because they can’t find enough prey to eat, and the cycle will begin again. Figure 1 represents an example of a predator-prey cycle.Q. According to information in the passage, the number of prey consumed in an ecosystem is dependent on:a)the natural balance of the ecosystem.b)the total number of predators that die because of predation.c)the type of parasites available in the ecosystem.d)the number of predators present and the number of prey present.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
Directions:Read the passages and choose the best answer to each question.PassagePredation is an interaction between individuals of 2 species in which one is harmed (the prey), and the other is helped (the predator). Predation can occur among plants and animals as well as between plants and animals. Some biologists contend that herbivores, or plant eaters, are predators. Table 1 indicates some characteristics and examples of certain predators.Predation is very important in maintaining a natural balance in any given ecosystem. For example, without predators, prey populations tend to grow exponentially.Without prey, predator populations tend to decline exponentially. Predators consume individual members of the prey population, thereby controlling the overall numbers in the ecosystem. The number of prey consumed depends on the number of prey present as well as the number of predators present. The rate of change in the number of prey is a function of the birth of new prey minus the death of other prey, due either to predation or other causes. The death rate is assumed to depend on the number of prey available and the number of predators. The rate of change in the number of predators is a function of the births of new predators—which depends on the number of prey—minus the death of some predators.Over long periods of time, predator and prey tend to balance each other out. This is called the predator-prey cycle. Prey numbers will increase when predator numbers decrease. When the number of prey reaches a certain point, predators will start to increase until they eat enough prey to cause a decline in prey numbers. When this happens, the number of predators will begin to decrease because they can’t find enough prey to eat, and the cycle will begin again. Figure 1 represents an example of a predator-prey cycle.Q. According to information in the passage, the number of prey consumed in an ecosystem is dependent on:a)the natural balance of the ecosystem.b)the total number of predators that die because of predation.c)the type of parasites available in the ecosystem.d)the number of predators present and the number of prey present.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? for ACT 2025 is part of ACT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the ACT exam syllabus. Information about Directions:Read the passages and choose the best answer to each question.PassagePredation is an interaction between individuals of 2 species in which one is harmed (the prey), and the other is helped (the predator). Predation can occur among plants and animals as well as between plants and animals. Some biologists contend that herbivores, or plant eaters, are predators. Table 1 indicates some characteristics and examples of certain predators.Predation is very important in maintaining a natural balance in any given ecosystem. For example, without predators, prey populations tend to grow exponentially.Without prey, predator populations tend to decline exponentially. Predators consume individual members of the prey population, thereby controlling the overall numbers in the ecosystem. The number of prey consumed depends on the number of prey present as well as the number of predators present. The rate of change in the number of prey is a function of the birth of new prey minus the death of other prey, due either to predation or other causes. The death rate is assumed to depend on the number of prey available and the number of predators. The rate of change in the number of predators is a function of the births of new predators—which depends on the number of prey—minus the death of some predators.Over long periods of time, predator and prey tend to balance each other out. This is called the predator-prey cycle. Prey numbers will increase when predator numbers decrease. When the number of prey reaches a certain point, predators will start to increase until they eat enough prey to cause a decline in prey numbers. When this happens, the number of predators will begin to decrease because they can’t find enough prey to eat, and the cycle will begin again. Figure 1 represents an example of a predator-prey cycle.Q. According to information in the passage, the number of prey consumed in an ecosystem is dependent on:a)the natural balance of the ecosystem.b)the total number of predators that die because of predation.c)the type of parasites available in the ecosystem.d)the number of predators present and the number of prey present.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for ACT 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Directions:Read the passages and choose the best answer to each question.PassagePredation is an interaction between individuals of 2 species in which one is harmed (the prey), and the other is helped (the predator). Predation can occur among plants and animals as well as between plants and animals. Some biologists contend that herbivores, or plant eaters, are predators. Table 1 indicates some characteristics and examples of certain predators.Predation is very important in maintaining a natural balance in any given ecosystem. For example, without predators, prey populations tend to grow exponentially.Without prey, predator populations tend to decline exponentially. Predators consume individual members of the prey population, thereby controlling the overall numbers in the ecosystem. The number of prey consumed depends on the number of prey present as well as the number of predators present. The rate of change in the number of prey is a function of the birth of new prey minus the death of other prey, due either to predation or other causes. The death rate is assumed to depend on the number of prey available and the number of predators. The rate of change in the number of predators is a function of the births of new predators—which depends on the number of prey—minus the death of some predators.Over long periods of time, predator and prey tend to balance each other out. This is called the predator-prey cycle. Prey numbers will increase when predator numbers decrease. When the number of prey reaches a certain point, predators will start to increase until they eat enough prey to cause a decline in prey numbers. When this happens, the number of predators will begin to decrease because they can’t find enough prey to eat, and the cycle will begin again. Figure 1 represents an example of a predator-prey cycle.Q. According to information in the passage, the number of prey consumed in an ecosystem is dependent on:a)the natural balance of the ecosystem.b)the total number of predators that die because of predation.c)the type of parasites available in the ecosystem.d)the number of predators present and the number of prey present.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for Directions:Read the passages and choose the best answer to each question.PassagePredation is an interaction between individuals of 2 species in which one is harmed (the prey), and the other is helped (the predator). Predation can occur among plants and animals as well as between plants and animals. Some biologists contend that herbivores, or plant eaters, are predators. Table 1 indicates some characteristics and examples of certain predators.Predation is very important in maintaining a natural balance in any given ecosystem. For example, without predators, prey populations tend to grow exponentially.Without prey, predator populations tend to decline exponentially. Predators consume individual members of the prey population, thereby controlling the overall numbers in the ecosystem. The number of prey consumed depends on the number of prey present as well as the number of predators present. The rate of change in the number of prey is a function of the birth of new prey minus the death of other prey, due either to predation or other causes. The death rate is assumed to depend on the number of prey available and the number of predators. The rate of change in the number of predators is a function of the births of new predators—which depends on the number of prey—minus the death of some predators.Over long periods of time, predator and prey tend to balance each other out. This is called the predator-prey cycle. Prey numbers will increase when predator numbers decrease. When the number of prey reaches a certain point, predators will start to increase until they eat enough prey to cause a decline in prey numbers. When this happens, the number of predators will begin to decrease because they can’t find enough prey to eat, and the cycle will begin again. Figure 1 represents an example of a predator-prey cycle.Q. According to information in the passage, the number of prey consumed in an ecosystem is dependent on:a)the natural balance of the ecosystem.b)the total number of predators that die because of predation.c)the type of parasites available in the ecosystem.d)the number of predators present and the number of prey present.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for ACT. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for ACT Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of Directions:Read the passages and choose the best answer to each question.PassagePredation is an interaction between individuals of 2 species in which one is harmed (the prey), and the other is helped (the predator). Predation can occur among plants and animals as well as between plants and animals. Some biologists contend that herbivores, or plant eaters, are predators. Table 1 indicates some characteristics and examples of certain predators.Predation is very important in maintaining a natural balance in any given ecosystem. For example, without predators, prey populations tend to grow exponentially.Without prey, predator populations tend to decline exponentially. Predators consume individual members of the prey population, thereby controlling the overall numbers in the ecosystem. The number of prey consumed depends on the number of prey present as well as the number of predators present. The rate of change in the number of prey is a function of the birth of new prey minus the death of other prey, due either to predation or other causes. The death rate is assumed to depend on the number of prey available and the number of predators. The rate of change in the number of predators is a function of the births of new predators—which depends on the number of prey—minus the death of some predators.Over long periods of time, predator and prey tend to balance each other out. This is called the predator-prey cycle. Prey numbers will increase when predator numbers decrease. When the number of prey reaches a certain point, predators will start to increase until they eat enough prey to cause a decline in prey numbers. When this happens, the number of predators will begin to decrease because they can’t find enough prey to eat, and the cycle will begin again. Figure 1 represents an example of a predator-prey cycle.Q. According to information in the passage, the number of prey consumed in an ecosystem is dependent on:a)the natural balance of the ecosystem.b)the total number of predators that die because of predation.c)the type of parasites available in the ecosystem.d)the number of predators present and the number of prey present.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of Directions:Read the passages and choose the best answer to each question.PassagePredation is an interaction between individuals of 2 species in which one is harmed (the prey), and the other is helped (the predator). Predation can occur among plants and animals as well as between plants and animals. Some biologists contend that herbivores, or plant eaters, are predators. Table 1 indicates some characteristics and examples of certain predators.Predation is very important in maintaining a natural balance in any given ecosystem. For example, without predators, prey populations tend to grow exponentially.Without prey, predator populations tend to decline exponentially. Predators consume individual members of the prey population, thereby controlling the overall numbers in the ecosystem. The number of prey consumed depends on the number of prey present as well as the number of predators present. The rate of change in the number of prey is a function of the birth of new prey minus the death of other prey, due either to predation or other causes. The death rate is assumed to depend on the number of prey available and the number of predators. The rate of change in the number of predators is a function of the births of new predators—which depends on the number of prey—minus the death of some predators.Over long periods of time, predator and prey tend to balance each other out. This is called the predator-prey cycle. Prey numbers will increase when predator numbers decrease. When the number of prey reaches a certain point, predators will start to increase until they eat enough prey to cause a decline in prey numbers. When this happens, the number of predators will begin to decrease because they can’t find enough prey to eat, and the cycle will begin again. Figure 1 represents an example of a predator-prey cycle.Q. According to information in the passage, the number of prey consumed in an ecosystem is dependent on:a)the natural balance of the ecosystem.b)the total number of predators that die because of predation.c)the type of parasites available in the ecosystem.d)the number of predators present and the number of prey present.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for Directions:Read the passages and choose the best answer to each question.PassagePredation is an interaction between individuals of 2 species in which one is harmed (the prey), and the other is helped (the predator). Predation can occur among plants and animals as well as between plants and animals. Some biologists contend that herbivores, or plant eaters, are predators. Table 1 indicates some characteristics and examples of certain predators.Predation is very important in maintaining a natural balance in any given ecosystem. For example, without predators, prey populations tend to grow exponentially.Without prey, predator populations tend to decline exponentially. Predators consume individual members of the prey population, thereby controlling the overall numbers in the ecosystem. The number of prey consumed depends on the number of prey present as well as the number of predators present. The rate of change in the number of prey is a function of the birth of new prey minus the death of other prey, due either to predation or other causes. The death rate is assumed to depend on the number of prey available and the number of predators. The rate of change in the number of predators is a function of the births of new predators—which depends on the number of prey—minus the death of some predators.Over long periods of time, predator and prey tend to balance each other out. This is called the predator-prey cycle. Prey numbers will increase when predator numbers decrease. When the number of prey reaches a certain point, predators will start to increase until they eat enough prey to cause a decline in prey numbers. When this happens, the number of predators will begin to decrease because they can’t find enough prey to eat, and the cycle will begin again. Figure 1 represents an example of a predator-prey cycle.Q. According to information in the passage, the number of prey consumed in an ecosystem is dependent on:a)the natural balance of the ecosystem.b)the total number of predators that die because of predation.c)the type of parasites available in the ecosystem.d)the number of predators present and the number of prey present.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of Directions:Read the passages and choose the best answer to each question.PassagePredation is an interaction between individuals of 2 species in which one is harmed (the prey), and the other is helped (the predator). Predation can occur among plants and animals as well as between plants and animals. Some biologists contend that herbivores, or plant eaters, are predators. Table 1 indicates some characteristics and examples of certain predators.Predation is very important in maintaining a natural balance in any given ecosystem. For example, without predators, prey populations tend to grow exponentially.Without prey, predator populations tend to decline exponentially. Predators consume individual members of the prey population, thereby controlling the overall numbers in the ecosystem. The number of prey consumed depends on the number of prey present as well as the number of predators present. The rate of change in the number of prey is a function of the birth of new prey minus the death of other prey, due either to predation or other causes. The death rate is assumed to depend on the number of prey available and the number of predators. The rate of change in the number of predators is a function of the births of new predators—which depends on the number of prey—minus the death of some predators.Over long periods of time, predator and prey tend to balance each other out. This is called the predator-prey cycle. Prey numbers will increase when predator numbers decrease. When the number of prey reaches a certain point, predators will start to increase until they eat enough prey to cause a decline in prey numbers. When this happens, the number of predators will begin to decrease because they can’t find enough prey to eat, and the cycle will begin again. Figure 1 represents an example of a predator-prey cycle.Q. According to information in the passage, the number of prey consumed in an ecosystem is dependent on:a)the natural balance of the ecosystem.b)the total number of predators that die because of predation.c)the type of parasites available in the ecosystem.d)the number of predators present and the number of prey present.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice Directions:Read the passages and choose the best answer to each question.PassagePredation is an interaction between individuals of 2 species in which one is harmed (the prey), and the other is helped (the predator). Predation can occur among plants and animals as well as between plants and animals. Some biologists contend that herbivores, or plant eaters, are predators. Table 1 indicates some characteristics and examples of certain predators.Predation is very important in maintaining a natural balance in any given ecosystem. For example, without predators, prey populations tend to grow exponentially.Without prey, predator populations tend to decline exponentially. Predators consume individual members of the prey population, thereby controlling the overall numbers in the ecosystem. The number of prey consumed depends on the number of prey present as well as the number of predators present. The rate of change in the number of prey is a function of the birth of new prey minus the death of other prey, due either to predation or other causes. The death rate is assumed to depend on the number of prey available and the number of predators. The rate of change in the number of predators is a function of the births of new predators—which depends on the number of prey—minus the death of some predators.Over long periods of time, predator and prey tend to balance each other out. This is called the predator-prey cycle. Prey numbers will increase when predator numbers decrease. When the number of prey reaches a certain point, predators will start to increase until they eat enough prey to cause a decline in prey numbers. When this happens, the number of predators will begin to decrease because they can’t find enough prey to eat, and the cycle will begin again. Figure 1 represents an example of a predator-prey cycle.Q. According to information in the passage, the number of prey consumed in an ecosystem is dependent on:a)the natural balance of the ecosystem.b)the total number of predators that die because of predation.c)the type of parasites available in the ecosystem.d)the number of predators present and the number of prey present.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice ACT tests.
Explore Courses for ACT exam

Top Courses for ACT

Explore Courses
Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev