You have discovered a new invertebrate species that is slow-moving and widely dispersed. What might you predict about its reproductive system?

Question

A.  Males are likely to be smaller than females.
B.  Females are likely to be smaller than males.
C.  It is likely to use internal fertilization and brood care.
D.  It is likely to be hermaphroditic.


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 reproductive modes? 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

D.  It is likely to be hermaphroditic.


Clarify Question
What is the key concept addressed by the question?
     · The concept addressed here is the likely reproductive pattern of a slow moving, widely dispersed species.

What type of thinking is required?
     · Evaluate level:
       o This question is asking you to weigh and judge, or evaluate, the reproductive mode of an invertebrate.


Gather Content
What do you already know about reproductive modes? What other information is related to the question?
     · Individuals within a species that do not move quickly or that are widely dispersed are less likely to encounter each other.
     · Hermaphroditism is favored when individuals have lower mobility or are more widely dispersed.


Choose Answer Given what you now know, what information is most likely to produce the correct answer?
     · The size of an individual does not correlate with its reproductive strategy, so those answers can be disregarded.
     · Internal fertilization requires two individuals, which might be difficult in a slow-moving, widely dispersed species.
     · Hermaphroditism would allow self fertilization if no other individual is encountered, or a maximum reproductive rate if another individual of the same species (a conspecific) is present.
     · A benefit of hermaphroditism is that any conspecific individual encountered is a potential mate.


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?
     · Evaluate level:
       o Answering this question correctly depended on your ability to weigh and judge, or evaluate, reproductive modes. If you got an incorrect answer, did you remember that slow moving individuals that move slowly are not likely to encounter each other? Did you have trouble weighing the merits of dispersion and reproductive mode to determine the correct answer?