Which statement best explains why the nucleotide diversity of Red Pandas decreased over five generations?

Question

• As the acres of deforested land increased, there was more food for the red pandas to eat.
• As the population of red pandas decreased, there was more food for the red pandas to eat.
• As the population of red pandas decreased, there were a lesser number of genes to be passed down.
• As the acres of deforested land increased, there were a greater number of genes to be passed down.

Answer 1

The statement that best explains why the nucleotide diversity of Red Pandas decreased over five generations is:

• As the population of red pandas decreased, there were a lesser number of genes to be passed down.

This statement indicates that a declining population results in reduced genetic variation because fewer individuals contribute their genetic material to future generations, leading to decreased nucleotide diversity.

Answer 2

A gardener performs experiments on her tomato plants. When graphing her data, which factor is an independent variable?
• the average circumference of each plant's fruit
• the amount of light each plant receives
• the number of fruit per plant
• the height of each plant

Answer 3

In the context of the gardener's experiments on tomato plants, the independent variable is:

• the amount of light each plant receives.

The independent variable is the factor that is manipulated or changed in an experiment to observe its effect on the dependent variable, which in this case could be the average circumference of the fruit, the number of fruit per plant, or the height of each plant.

Answer 4

Suppose the mutation for the sickle cell disease gene first appeared in a region without malaria. The first carrier would have (1 point)
• had the same likelihood to survive and reproduce as his peers.
• been more likely to survive and reproduce than his peers.
• died from sickle cell disease before reproducing.
• been less likely to survive and reproduce than his peers.

Answer 5

The first carrier of the mutation for the sickle cell disease gene in a region without malaria would have:

• had the same likelihood to survive and reproduce as his peers.

Without the selective pressure of malaria, the sickle cell trait would not confer any significant survival advantage or disadvantage to the carrier. Consequently, their likelihood of survival and reproduction would be similar to that of their peers. The protective advantage of the sickle cell trait is primarily observed in regions where malaria is prevalent.