Propagule size and number produced???

[lindyloo03]

I am stuck on a review question for my correspondence biology. I am doing reproduction and there is no actual chapter on this module. I have searched the internet and just cant find what I am looking for (or at least what I think I am looking for) Please forgive me if this is an easy or dumb question:

My question I am being asked is:
Draw a sketch graph of the relationship between individual propagule size and total number of propagules produced. Mark on the graph where you would place humans and prawns:

I just don’t know what I am looking for or where to look for this information.

I am thinking that propagule is either the sperm or the egg in humans and the spawn of prawns??? All I can find is about plants. How and where do I get the information for the graph to display what this is asking me.

Sperm: The average sperm count today is around 60 million per milliliter daily basically.
Eggs: We produce 1 egg a month, sometimes more, 12 times a year. We are only needing 1 egg for 1 baby technically, in the human species so the ratio is right for woman but way out for man.

Female Prawns: female prawn spawn five times a year and produce between 20,000 to 80,000 larvae per spawning.

Assumingly we have a higher survival rate than the prawn

I don’t know if this is the information I need and if so what do I do with it???

Any information or link or guidence to the right information is very much appreciated.

Regards,
Linda

[lindyloo03]

OK so it is the eggs (or babies) produced.

So women have 1 baby that is rather large and well developed
Prawns have thousands of babies who are tiny and easily eaten - but are they well developed. it is not like the mummy prawns looks after them. - mmm dont know much about prawns.

So putting it on a graph would it be 1 up high on this end of the graph and 1 down low on the other end of the graph.

is the theory that if we have a small amount of babies we look after them and if an animal has lots of babies (as in prawns, fish, turtles, snakes etc) they dont look after them.

I am lost?

[JackBean]

Basically, you are right. If you can produce lot of babies, than you do not need to take care of them, because some will by some chance survive. On the other hand, If you take care about your child for many, many years (like humans or elephants), than you are not able to take care about much more than 1 And than there is something in between like mice, which are able to have lot of babies several times in year, but they still take some care about them.

[lindyloo03]

Thanks, got this one in the bag.

[larissahayley]

Hi!
I think im doing the same online biology course as you and am also up to this question. I had a vauge idea but wasnt 100% so this has helped!

[lindyloo03]

Oh Larissahayley,

I am doing Unilearn biology in australia. Is this what you are doing? I would love to chat if you are as we could bounce idea's of each other.

[grp1983]

Wow I'm glad I found this forum and discussion. I'm also completing the Unilearn: Senior Biology course. Its a relief to know that I'm not the only one finding the study guide vague and hard to follow at times, especially when this question was thrown at me.
Although, a few weeks ago the contracted tutor that was managing this course was replaced by a new tutor. After a number of discussions with the new tutor, it become apparent that for reasons like this the course has been restructured and updated for newly enrolled students.

[grp1983]

My god! After looking at this question even more, its not that straight forward. I understand the theory behind the question, ie rate of production and survival. But when trying to relay the concept onto a "sketch graph", which are traditionally used for parabolas and calculus, it just just doesn't compute too easily.

Any suggestions, or helpful hints?