In close comparisons, extemal fertilization often yields more offspring than internal fertilization. however,
internal fertilization offers the advantage that
a. it requires less time and energy to be devoted to reproduction
b.
the smaller number of offspring produced often receive a greater amount of parental care
and thus have a greater survival rate.
c. it requires expression of fewer genes and maximizes genetic stability,
d. it is the only way to ensure the survival of species

A48-year-old male presents with an 8-day history of productive cough, subjective fevers, and malaise. he is otherwise healthy without any active medical problems. he is a social drinker of alcohol, and denies any tobacco or drug use. on physical examination, the patient is alert and oriented. his temperature is 100.4 0 f, pulse rate is 56, respiratory rate is 18, and blood pressure is 133/64. heent is within normal limits and a chest exam has diffuse expiratory wheeze with decreased sounds to the right lower lung fields. blood labs reveal wbc 14.4, hgb 11.3, plt 233, alt 65, ast 102, and po 4 2.1. a chest x-ray reveals a dense consolidation with bulging fissures. based on these findings, what is the most likely pathogen affecting this patient?