A mysterious disease has struck 15 horses at a farm with 100 horses. Doctors at the animal hospital test the blood of five of the sick horses and find that four of them show a type of bacteria never seen before. Answer the following:

a. Based on this information, suggest a reasonable hypothesis for the cause of the disease.

b. Suggest one experiment you could do to provide evidence for or against your hypothesis.

Question

Tabby

Biology

11 August, 10:51

A mysterious disease has struck 15 horses at a farm with 100 horses. Doctors at the animal hospital test the blood of five of the sick horses and find that four of them show a type of bacteria never seen before. Answer the following:

a. Based on this information, suggest a reasonable hypothesis for the cause of the disease.

b. Suggest one experiment you could do to provide evidence for or against your hypothesis.

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Answers (1)

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Ronald Hatfield · Answer 1

The response I would give:

a. This new bacteria most likely caused this 'mysterious' disease, as both are unprecedented.

b. Test 5 more horses, and see whether they also carry this same new bacteria.

I'm sure there are more effective tests, like maybe grow the bacteria in a lab and test it on other creatures, but the question of animal cruelty then arises.