The graph above shows the population growth curves of Paramecium aurelia and Paramecium caudatum cultures after they were mixed together. One inference that could correctly be drawn from the graph is that P. aurelia and P. caudatum cannot successfully
(1 point)
Responses
utilize oxygen for anaerobic respiration
live in marine environments
occupy the same niche in an ecosystem
utilize the same wavelengths of light
live in marine environments
Explanation: The population growth curves show that when P. aurelia and P. caudatum are mixed together, they are not able to coexist successfully and one population eventually outcompetes the other. This suggests that they are competing for the same resources and cannot occupy the same niche in an ecosystem. This inference is supported by the principle of competitive exclusion, where two species competing for the same limited resources cannot coexist in the long term. Therefore, it is unlikely that P. aurelia and P. caudatum would be able to successfully live together in a marine environment where resources are limited.