As CO2 builds up in the atmosphere it also accumulates in the oceans, causing acidification. This poses a challenge to marine creatures that rely on calcium carbonate deposition such as corals, mollusks, and even fish, which use it to form otoliths. Researchers investigated whether otolith deposition was impaired at low pH, and were surprised to find that otoliths were actually larger in this condition. This means that, while coping with global climate change, at least fish will still be able to maintain which sense(s)?

Question

A.  feeling pain
B.  vision
C.  taste
D.  olfaction
E.  hearing and balance

Clarify Question
What is the key concept addressed by the question?
What type of thinking is required?

Gather Content
What do you already know about otoliths? What other information is related to the question?

Choose Answer
Given what you now know, what information is most likely to produce the correct answer?

Reflect on Process
Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?

Answer 1

E.  hearing and balance

Clarify Question
What is the key concept addressed by the question?
        · What senses are activated by otoliths in fishes?
What type of thinking is required?
            o This is an analyze question because you have to break down the components of a fish ear and understand what role otoliths play in fishes and how changes in otoliths might change their sensory capabilities.

Gather Content
What do you already know about otoliths? What other information is related to the question?
        · You already know that otoliths are found in the ears of fishes. You know that they are made out of calcium carbonate, which dissolves under acidic conditions. Otoliths sit on top of sensory hair cells to provide mass to deflect the stereocilia of the hair cells to convert mechanical motion into a neural signal. If the otoliths were to dissolve due to acidity, then the fish would not be able to use the senses of hearing and balance. Thankfully, global warming does not appear to produce this effect in fishes.

Choose Answer
Given what you now know, what information is most likely to produce the correct answer?
        · Otoliths are found in the inner ear of fishes and are involved in hearing and balance. The other answers refer to senses that do not utilize calcium carbonate otoliths or hair cells (pain, vision, taste, olfaction).

Reflect on Process
Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?
        o Answering this question correctly depended upon your knowledge of the localization of calcium carbonate in fish otoliths and understanding the function of otoliths in the fish inner ear. If you answered incorrectly, which answer did you choose? Did you think that otoliths were important to other sensory systems?