Scientists removed all viruses

Answer choices

1. A

   Deepens the Paradox8% picked this

   Viruses in seawater help to keep the plankton population below the maximum level that the resources in

   This suggests that the removal of viruses should benefit plankton making the decline in the plankton population more confusing.

   8%
2. B

   Deepens the Paradox1% picked this

   Plankton and viruses in seawater compete for some of the

   This makes viruses and plankton competitors. If the relationship between the two organisms were competition, it would be expected that a setback for one would benefit the other.

   1%
3. C

   Correct79% picked this

   Plankton utilize the nutrients released by the death of organisms killed

   Why this is right

   This suggests that the removal of viruses would deprive plankton of nutrients.

   Skill tested: Paradox · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

   79%
4. D

   Too Weak10% picked this

   The absence of viruses can facilitate the flourishing of bacteria that sometimes

   Without knowing that bacteria flourished in the seawater sample discussed and that the bacteria caused harm to the plankton this answer doesn’t go far enough to show why the plankton population declined when the viruses were removed.

   10%
5. E

   Too Weak2% picked this

   At any given time, a considerable portion of the plankton in seawater are already

   This explains the drop in the population of plankton but does not explain the observed negative growth rate. This answer does not explain why the plankton population declined after the viruses were removed.

   2%