A Biologist Studied a Population of Squirrels for 15 Years

question 27

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 number of predators that prey upon squirrels may have decreased.
• D) A and C could be true.
• E) A, B, and C could be true.

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Definitions:

Self-sufficient

The ability of an individual, community, or country to provide for their own needs without external assistance, particularly in terms of producing food and goods.

Manufactured Goods

Items that have been processed from raw materials into finished products through human or machine labor.

Slaveholders

Individuals or entities that owned one or more slaves, maintaining control over their lives, labor, and freedom.

European Immigrants

Individuals from Europe who have moved to another country, historically significant in the context of migration to the Americas, Australia, and other regions.