Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
Which of the following would be an example of high biotic potential?
A
A species of oak tree that produces acorns once a year
B
An elephant that gives birth to one calf every few years
C
A species of bacteria that reproduces rapidly every 20 minutes
D
A whale that has a long gestation period and few offspring
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of biotic potential: Biotic potential refers to the maximum reproductive capacity of an organism under optimal environmental conditions. It is influenced by factors such as the number of offspring produced, the frequency of reproduction, and the age at which reproduction begins.
Identify characteristics of high biotic potential: Organisms with high biotic potential typically reproduce quickly, have short generation times, and produce a large number of offspring. This allows their populations to grow rapidly under favorable conditions.
Analyze the options: Consider each option in terms of reproductive rate and offspring quantity. An oak tree produces acorns once a year, which is relatively slow. An elephant gives birth to one calf every few years, indicating a low reproductive rate. A whale also has a long gestation period and few offspring.
Focus on the bacteria: Bacteria that reproduce every 20 minutes have a very high reproductive rate. This rapid reproduction allows bacterial populations to increase exponentially in a short period, demonstrating high biotic potential.
Conclude with the correct example: Based on the analysis, the species of bacteria that reproduces rapidly every 20 minutes is the example of high biotic potential, as it aligns with the characteristics of rapid reproduction and large potential population growth.