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Jane has five coins totaling 35 cents. Each coin is either a penny, a nickel, a dime, or a quarter. After using two of the coins ...
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You'll probably see at least one question involving prime numbers.
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ACT: Science Question #5

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Passage 1

Various methods are used to estimate the number of microorganisms in a culture. One method utilizes a spectrophotometer to measure the density of organisms in a broth medium. Density indicates the quantity of organisms in a given volume.

In this method, a beam of light is passed through the broth medium. The density of microorganisms in the broth is inversely proportional to the intensity of the light that passes through the broth. A meter is used to indicate the percentage of light transmitted through the medium.

The spectrophotometric data are used to produce a graph, such as the one below, that relates optical density to cell number.



Question: What inference can you make from the graph?


Choices:
A. The growth of microorganisms in a given medium doubles with the doubling of time.
B. The growth of microorganisms is limited by space and available nutrients.
C. Optical density is inversely proportional to cell number.
D. Light stimulates the growth of microorganisms.



The correct answer is B.

It is reasonable to assume that the graph flattens due to limits of space and available nutrients. These are apparently the only independent variables in the experiment. Thus, either or both factors must be limiting the growth of microorganisms.

Choice (A) is not correct because neither the graph nor the experimental setups describe a time-growth relationship. In other words, there is no data upon which to base the conclusion represented by choice (A).

Choice (C) is incorrect. Density can be thought of as "thickness." Increased growth produces a thicker medium that inhibits the passage of light. Hence, optical density increases with cell growth. They are directly proportional, not inversely proportional. Choice (D) isn't supported by any of the data. Here, light is simply being used to measure the growth of microorganisms.
 

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