19.3-4ITD - Campbell Biology

Question

Groups 9, 10, and 11 all had H1N1 variants that caused a large number of infections at the same time in Taiwan. Does this mean that the scientists’ hypothesis that new variants cause new waves of infection was correct? Explain your answer.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

No, the hypothesis was incorrect because three peaks were present during wave 3. The three peaks correspond to the infection caused by groups 9, 10, and 11. This indicates three groups were responsible for causing infection during the same time.

Step 1: Hypothesis formulated

The researchers formulated a hypothesis to determine the causative agents of the different H1N1 flu outbreaks. The hypothesis states that a new variant of the H1N1 variant causes the new wave of H1N1 flu.

 

This means the different waves of flu outbreaks were caused by the new variant of the H1N1 strain.

Step 2: The formulated hypothesis is incorrect

The graph shows wave 3 shows three distinct peaks, each caused by groups 9, 10, and 11. This means three groups were responsible for causing wave 3 of the flu outbreak. 

 

This data suggests that the formulated hypothesis is incorrect because three groups were involved in wave 3 of H1N1 flu.

Step 3: Evidence supports the formulated hypothesis

According to the phylogenetic tree, groups 9, 10, and 11 evolved from different lineages. These groups caused the infection during wave 3 of the outbreak. The variants of these groups were genetically different from the ones that caused the previous waves of the outbreak.

 

Thus, it was a matter of chance that these three groups caused infection during the same time. Therefore, the data support the hypothesis.