Question

Plot the data in the above table as a line graph. Which column is the independent variable, and which is the dependent variable? Put the independent variable on the x-axis. (For additional information about graphs, see the Scientific Skills Review in Appendix F.)

Short answer

The dependent variable is the number of parasites (in millions) per ml of blood, which is plotted on the y-axis in the graph. The number of days is the independent variable, which is plotted on the x-axis of the graph.

Step-by-step solution

About the experiment (PART A)

Researchers were interested in studying the immune system's responses to a changing pathogen that can maintain a low-level infection in a host for a long time as such pathogens are favored by natural selection.

During the first several weeks of a chronic condition, researchers counted the number of parasites in one human patient's blood in part A of the experiment.

Independent and dependent variables

In this experiment, the researcher manipulates the independent variable, which is expected to affect the dependent variable directly. An experiment's dependent variable is the variable that is being tested and measured, and it is dependent on the independent variable.

On the line graph

The number of days (up to 24 days) is displayed on the x-axis, which is an independent variable of time. The dependent variable is the number of parasites per milliliter of blood (in millions). In this study, the independent variable, which is time, determines its value. On the y-axis, the dependent variable is shown.