Question

In laboratory experiments, two species of the protist Paramecium were grown alone and in the presence of the other species. The following graphs show growth of species 1 (left) and species 2 (right), both alone and when in mixed culture.

Interpretation of these graphs shows that

(a) Competitive exclusion occurred in these experiments.

(b) Both species are affected by interspecific competition but species 1 is affected less.

(c) Both species are affected by interspecific competition but species 2 is affected less.

(d) Both species are affected equally by interspecific competition.

Answer 1

Correct option;  (c) Both species are affected by interspecific competition but species 2 is affected less.

Explanation;

Both species grow less well in the presence of the other; the effect is greater for species 1.