Communities with a high level of bacterial diversity are found in many habitats including soil and aquatic environments.Recent studies indicate this diversity is crucial to the functioning of these communities.The same studies have also found that phage abundance plays a critical role in the maintenance of the bacterial diversity within these communities.Are phages a density-dependent or a density-independent regulating factor?
A)density-dependent
B)density-independent

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Density-dependent regulating factors are those in which the impact of the regulating factor depends on the density of the population. In this case, phages are considered density-dependent because they have a greater impact on bacterial diversity and community functioning when the bacterial population is higher.

Communities with a High Level of Bacterial Diversity Are Found