The following table shows data about a population of red pandas.

Question

Data Collected from a Red Panda Population Over Time Generation
1 2 3 4 5
Average mass of red panda 4.6 kg 4.6 kg 4.5 kg 4.4 kg 4.3 kg
Nucleotide Diversity in Population 0.000625 0.0005575 0.0004255 0.0003523 0.0003523
Population Size 48 47 44 44 42
Deforested Land (acres) 150 150 450 4,500 54,000
Which statement best explains why the nucleotide diversity of Red Pandas decreased over five generations?

(1 point)
Responses

As the acres of deforested land increased, there were a greater 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.

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

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 explanation is accurate because a declining population size reduces the genetic variation available for future generations, leading to lower nucleotide diversity.