3. This summer l attempted to measure sperm production in ctenophores (relatives

Question

3. This summer l attempted to measure sperm production in ctenophores (relatives to the jellyfish), asking the question of whether or not it varies over the season. In June I brought 20 ctenophores back into the lab (to control for water temperature, light, etc.) and held them overnight in individual 500 mL beakers. I collected a 1 mL water sample from each beaker and transferred it into a plastic vial, and later took several 10 HL subsamples from each vial to do sperm counts under a microscope. In August, I repeated the procedure with 20 new ctenophores (of the same size as in June), collecting 1 mL water samples from each beaker into glass vials, and then taking twenty 10-HL subsamples for sperm counts. The average sperm count among the June individuals was lower than the average count for the August individuals, so I concluded that sperm production does indeed vary across the summer. Was this conclusion justified? Why or why not?

Explanation / Answer

The temperature plays a major role in sperm production. Sperm production is best in winter season and decreased significantly from spring into summer season.

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