In a type three survivorship curve, what trend is observed regarding the chance of dying with age?

Review for the KAMSC Honors Biology Exam. Enhance your knowledge with multiple-choice questions, flashcards, and detailed explanations to master key concepts. Prepare confidently for your semester exam!

In a type three survivorship curve, which is characteristic of organisms that produce a large number of offspring but provide little parental care, the trend observed is that the chance of dying decreases with age. This type of curve reflects a high mortality rate in the early stages of life, where many offspring do not survive. However, for those that do make it past this vulnerable early period, the likelihood of survival increases significantly as they age.

This pattern indicates that once an individual survives the critical early life challenges, they have a much higher chance of surviving to reproductive age and beyond. Examples of organisms that fit this survivorship curve include many fish species and amphibians, where a large number of eggs are laid, but few survive to adulthood. Thus, the correct understanding of a type three survivorship curve emphasizes the initial high mortality followed by a decrease in mortality risk as individuals grow older.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy