[Campbell Biology P.1243] Which of the following statements accurately describes a type of su... | Practice Question

Which of the following statements accurately describes a type of survivorship curve or its associated characteristics?

  • A: Type I curves are characterized by high death rates among the young and relatively flat curves for older individuals.
  • B: Oysters, which produce millions of eggs with little parental care, typically exhibit a Type II survivorship curve.
  • C: Type II survivorship curves are indicative of a relatively constant death rate throughout the organism's lifespan.
  • D: Humans and elephants, which provide extensive parental care to few offspring, generally follow a Type III survivorship pattern.

Explanation

Type II survivorship curves, as described in the text, are characterized by a constant death rate over the organism's lifespan, resulting in a relatively straight line when the number of survivors is plotted on a logarithmic scale. Type I curves show low early mortality, and Type III curves show high early mortality. Oysters exhibit Type III, and humans/elephants exhibit Type I.