The scientists claim that the growth and stability of the population of phytoplankton were affected by
the viruses. Using the information given, which TWO arguments support this claim?
A. The phytoplankton population was unable to absorb the light necessary for growth because the viruses
covered the surface of the water.
B. The phytoplankton population was affected by the viruses because the viruses were competitors for the
food sources in the environment.
C. As the phytoplankton population increased, the number of viruses began to increase because the
phytoplankton were consumed by the viruses.
D. As the phytoplankton population increased, the number of viruses began to increase because the
phytoplankton were the hosts to the viruses and replicated the viruses' genome.
E. The phytoplankton population was affected by the increase in the number of viruses in the environment
because the viruses used most of the carbon found in the environment.
F. The phytoplankton population decreased as the number of viruses increased because the cells of
the phytoplankton were destroyed as the viruses used them to increase the number of viruses in the
environment.
