TLS Online TPP Program

#Question id: 12003


The  graph  below  shows  the  growth  rates  of  populations  of  bacteria  that  have  evolved  for  many  generations  at different culture temperatures (25°C, 30°C, and 35°C). Each population grows over only a limited range of temperatures (its thermal niche), which are bounded by its critical thermal limits. Within this range, growth rate increases with temperature up to a maximal value and then declines rapidly with increasing temperature. Growth rates are known to be the major determinant of fitness for these bacteria.

If all three populations were mixed together and placed at 37°C, which of the following would  be most likely to happen?

#Unit 10. Ecological Principles
  1. Only the population evolved at 25°C would die and become extinct. 
  2. Only the population evolved at 35°C would survive and reproduce.
  3. All the bacteria would die and the populations would become extinct.
  4. All populations would grow, and transfer of genes would create one common population.