A Biologist Studied a Population of Squirrels for 15 Years

question 40

Multiple Choice

A biologist studied a population of squirrels for 15 years. During that time, the population was never fewer than 30 squirrels and never more than 45. Her data showed that over half of the squirrels born did not survive to reproduce, because of both competition for food and predation. In a single generation, 90% of the squirrels that were born lived to reproduce, and the population increased to 80. Which inference(s) about this population might be true?

• A) The amount of available food may have increased.
• B) The parental generation of squirrels developed better eyesight due to improved diet; the subsequent squirrel generation inherited better eyesight.
• C) The squirrels of subsequent generations should show greater levels of genetic variation than previous generations, because squirrels that would not have survived in the past will now survive.
• D) Three of the statements above are correct.
• E) Two of the statements above are correct.

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Definitions:

Psychoanalytic

Pertaining to a psychological theory and therapy developed by Freud that emphasizes unconscious motives and conflicts as forces that determine behavior.

Client-centered

A psychological approach focusing on providing support that allows clients to explore and solve their problems in a non-directive environment.

Behavioral

Pertaining to the actions or reactions of a person or animal in response to external or internal stimuli.

Cognitive-behavioral Therapy

A form of psychotherapeutic treatment that helps patients understand the thoughts and feelings that influence behaviors, typically used in treating a wide range of disorders.