Question

Look at the numbers of individuals you recorded on Student Sheet 5.1 and the bar graph(s) you created. Compare the number of individuals with each trait in the beginning population to the surviving numbers. What patterns do you notice?

A) The number of individuals with each trait in the beginning population generally decreased over time.
B) There was a significant increase in the number of individuals with specific traits.
C) The number of individuals with each trait in the beginning population remained relatively constant.
D) Some traits saw a decrease in individuals, while others saw an increase.

Answer 1

Patterns observed in comparing initial and surviving populations can reveal decreases, increases, or constant numbers of individuals with specific traits, which reveals the effects of natural selection and life history strategies on population dynamics.

Step-by-step explanation:

When comparing the number of individuals with each trait in the beginning population to the surviving numbers, one might notice patterns that correspond with the principles of life history patterns and natural selection. For instance, if you observe a decrease in the number of individuals with specific traits over time, this may indicate that those traits are not advantageous for survival in the given environment, reflecting a Type III survivorship curve, where many individuals die young. On the other hand, if there is an increase in individuals with certain traits, these traits may confer some advantage that leads to greater survivorship, as seen in Type I or Type II survivorship curves. The number of individuals with each trait might also remain constant, suggesting a stable environment with no selective pressure on those traits.