Question
30. An Antarctic marine food web is shown Seal Penguin Squid Cod. Zooplankton Algae An increase in the population size of which of the following will lead to the greatest decrease in the squid population? A algae B. cod C. penguins D. zooplankton
Answer
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Rosamund
Master · Tutor for 5 years
Answer
B
Explanation
In a food web, organisms are connected through their feeding habits. It suggests who eats whom. An increase in the population size of a predator of the squid would logically result in a decrease in the squid population. Looking at the given choices, we must identify the prime predator of the squid amongst them. Penguins can be seen as predators to squids. However, cod appears to be one of the primary consumers of the squid. When cod's population increases, there will likely be an increase in predation on squid, thus decreasing the squid population.