You Are Maintaining a Small Population of Fruit Flies in the Laboratory

question 22

Multiple Choice

You are maintaining a small population of fruit flies in the laboratory by transferring the flies to a new culture bottle after each generation. After several generations, you notice that the viability of the flies has decreased greatly. Recognising that small population size is likely to be linked to decreased viability, the best way to reverse this trend is to ________.

• A) cross your flies with flies from another lab
• B) reduce the number of flies that you transfer at each generation
• C) transfer only the largest flies
• D) change the temperature at which you rear the flies

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Definitions:

Agentic State

A psychological mindset in which an individual sees themselves as an agent executing orders, often used to explain obedience to authority.

Weak-Willed Individuals

Persons who lack the determination or strength of will to persist in achieving goals or resisting temptation.

Obeyed Authority's Orders

The act of following directives given by someone in a position of power or authority, often explored in social psychology regarding compliance and conformity.

Fundamental Attribution Error

The tendency to overestimate personality-based explanations for others' behavior rather than situational factors.