Use the following information and figure to answer the question.
The sea slug Pteraeolidia ianthina (P. ianthina) can harbour living dinoflagellates (photosynthetic protists) in its skin. These endosymbiotic dinoflagellates reproduce quickly enough to maintain their populations. Low populations of the dinoflagellates do not affect the sea slugs very much, but high populations ( 5 x 105 cells/mg of sea slug protein) can promote sea slug survival.
Percent of sea slug respiratory carbon demand provided by indwelling dinoflagellates.
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If we assume that carbon is the sole nutrient needed by sea slugs to drive their cellular respiration, then based on the graph, during which season(s) is it least necessary for P. ianthina to act as a chemoheterotroph?
A) winter
B) spring
C) summer
D) autumn

Question

Use the following information and figure to answer the question.
The sea slug Pteraeolidia ianthina (P. ianthina) can harbour living dinoflagellates (photosynthetic protists) in its skin. These endosymbiotic dinoflagellates reproduce quickly enough to maintain their populations. Low populations of the dinoflagellates do not affect the sea slugs very much, but high populations (> 5 x 105 cells/mg of sea slug protein) can promote sea slug survival. 
Percent of sea slug respiratory carbon demand provided by indwelling dinoflagellates.
-
If we assume that carbon is the sole nutrient needed by sea slugs to drive their cellular respiration, then based on the graph, during which season(s) is it least necessary for P. ianthina to act as a chemoheterotroph?
A) winter 
B) spring 
C) summer 
D) autumn

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

During summer, the graph likely shows higher levels of carbon availability, reducing the need for P. ianthina to rely on chemoheterotrophy for energy.

Use the Following Information and Figure to Answer the Question