Much concern has been expressed regarding the practice of using nitrates as meat preservatives. In one study involving possible effects of these chemicals, bacteria cultures were grown in a medium...

Much concern has been expressed regarding the practice of using nitrates as meat preservatives. In one study involving possible effects of these chemicals, bacteria cultures were grown in a medium containing nitrates. The rate of uptake of radio-labeled amino acid (in dpm, disintegrations per minute) was then determined for each culture, yielding the following observations.

7,255

6,875

9,637

6,863

9,098

5,846

8,954

7,979

7,068

7,498

7,882

8,179

7,528

8,728

7,469

Suppose that it is known that the mean rate of uptake for cultures without nitrates is 8,000.

Do the data suggest that the addition of nitrates results in a decrease in the mean rate of uptake? Test the appropriate hypotheses using a significance level of 0.10.

Find the test statistic and P-value. (Use technology to calculate the P-value. Round your test statistic to two decimal places and your P-value to three decimal places.)

t
=



P-value
=



State your conclusion.

Reject H0. We have convincing evidence that the mean rate of uptake is reduced by the addition of nitrates.

Fail to reject H0. We have convincing evidence that the mean rate of uptake is reduced by the addition of nitrates.

Fail to reject H0. We do not have convincing evidence that the mean rate of uptake is reduced by the addition of nitrates.

Reject H0. We do not have convincing evidence that the mean rate of uptake is reduced by the addition of nitrates.