16. An experiment was performed to investigate the influence of water temperature on the respiratory rate of catfish, as measured by the number of gill openings per minute. According to the data table the data showed that at 10°C the fish exhibited 13 gill openings per minute, which increased to 20 at 15°C, further rose to 32 at 20°C, and peaked at 51 at 25°C before declining to 29 at 30°C. , which of the following describes the relationship between fish gill openings and temperature?
Answer: A
The number of gill openings increased with increasing temperature.
The data indicates a clear trend where the number of gill openings per minute rises with increasing water temperature, reaching a peak at 25°C before experiencing a decline.
A) The number of gill openings increased with increasing temperature.
This option accurately reflects the data presented in the experiment. The recorded gill openings consistently rise from 13 at 10°C to a maximum of 51 at 25°C, demonstrating a direct correlation between temperature and respiratory rate up to that point.
B) As water temperature decreased, fish respiratory rate increased.
This statement contradicts the experimental findings. The data shows that as the temperature decreases, the number of gill openings also decreases, which does not support the claim that a decrease in temperature leads to an increase in respiratory rate.
C) The temperature did not affect the number of gill openings.
This option is incorrect as the data clearly shows a significant effect of temperature on gill openings. The variation in the number of gill openings at different temperatures indicates that temperature does have an impact on the respiratory rate of catfish.
D) As temperature increased, fish respiratory rate increased and then decreased.
While this option acknowledges the initial increase in gill openings with temperature, it inaccurately implies that the respiratory rate consistently decreases after a certain point. The respiratory rate does peak at 25°C but does not support the idea of a continuous increase followed by a decrease without context.
Conclusion
The correct answer, A, is definitively supported by the data showing a steady increase in gill openings with rising temperatures, peaking at 25°C. In contrast, all other options either misinterpret the data or present contradictory conclusions about the relationship between water temperature and the respiratory rate of catfish.