Question

Mallory decided to see whether the rate at which bees die after exposure to Coumaphos (an insecticide) is dependent on the age of the bees. In particular, she suspects that younger bees die faster after exposure than old bees. This is problematic because when younger bees die, the bee colony eventually collapses. She collected a sample of 10 bees, recorded the amount of time it took for the bees to die after exposure to Coumaphos (in months), and their age at exposure (in years). The data are in the table below.

Age at exposure (years):
5
4
6
8
4
8
3
2
7
4

Answer 1

The question inquires about a biological study on how the mortality rate of bees exposed to Coumaphos is influenced by their age, related to concerns about colony collapse and bee survival strategies.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to an investigation of the mortality rate of bees upon exposure to an insecticide called Coumaphos and whether this rate depends on the age of the bees. Mallory's study suggests that, similar to the life expectancy and mortality rate patterns seen in sheep populations, bees of different ages might respond distinctly to the toxicity of pesticides like Coumaphos. The central concern here is the survivability of younger bees since their early demise could lead to the collapse of the bee colony, a situation paralleling other life tables where high mortality rates are recorded during certain life stages.

To determine if the rate of bee death, after exposure to Coumaphos, is influenced by the bees' age, the relevant mortality rates can be calculated and compared across age intervals. This could involve constructing a life table and could provide crucial insights into how bee populations might be better protected. Ensuring the optimal nutrition of bees, countering the effects of parasites like the varroa mite, and addressing issues caused by modern agribusiness practices are all strategies to improve bee health and prevent further declines in bee populations, critical for the pollination of various crops.