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Sea stars are broken apart by workers to save the clams they feed on, and then thrown back into the ocean. Often the numbers of sea stars are seen to double after this. Give the reason why this happens. a. regeneration b. fragmentation c. budding d. the presence of suitable conditions

Short Answer

Expert verified
b. fragmentation

Step by step solution

01

Identify the Scenario

Determine what is occurring with the sea stars when they are broken apart and thrown back into the ocean. Note that their numbers seem to double afterward.
02

Understand Key Concepts

Review the definitions of regeneration, fragmentation, budding, and the significance of suitable conditions. Regeneration is the process by which organisms regrow parts that have been lost. Fragmentation involves breaking an organism into two or more parts, each capable of growing into a complete organism. Budding is when a new organism grows from the body of the parent organism.
03

Analyze the Phenomenon

Compare the given phenomenon with the understood concepts. The sea stars are not simply growing new parts, but rather, each broken part can become a new sea star.
04

Match with Concepts

Identify the matching process: The phenomenon where each part of the broken sea star continues to grow into a new individual is fragmentation. This results in the observed doubling of their population.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

regeneration
Regeneration is a fascinating biological process. It allows organisms to regrow parts of their body that were lost or damaged. For example, imagine a sea star loses one of its arms. Over time, it can regenerate that arm, essentially growing a new one from the stump. It's important to note that regeneration is not limited to sea stars. Many organisms, like lizards, amphibians, and even some plants, have regenerative capabilities.

Regeneration doesn't create new organisms, but it does restore parts of an existing one. This is different from fragmentation, which we'll discuss next.
fragmentation
Fragmentation is the process where an organism is split into two or more parts. Each of these parts can then develop into a complete, new organism. In the case of sea stars, if one is broken apart, each piece has the potential to grow into a new, whole sea star. This explains why their numbers appear to double when thrown back into the ocean.

Fragmentation is a form of asexual reproduction. This means the new organisms are genetically identical to the parent. It's a natural survival strategy for many marine creatures, ensuring their species continue even if they are physically broken up.
budding
Budding is another type of asexual reproduction. Unlike fragmentation, budding involves a new organism growing from a specific site on the parent organism's body. This growing part, or bud, will eventually detach and live independently as a new organism.

The parent organism remains intact while the bud develops. Some marine organisms, like corals and some plants, reproduce this way. However, this is different from what happens with sea stars, as they reproduce primarily through fragmentation.
marine biology
Marine biology is the study of life in the oceans and other saltwater environments. It covers a wide range of topics, from tiny plankton to gigantic whales. Within marine biology, the study of reproduction methods like regeneration, fragmentation, and budding is crucial.

Understanding how marine organisms reproduce and regenerate helps scientists protect these species and their habitats. For example, knowing that sea stars can quickly repopulate through fragmentation can inform conservation strategies. Marine biology gives us insights into the complex life forms that inhabit our oceans and how they continue to thrive.

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