Question
The following table shows data about a population of red pandas.Data Collected from a Red Panda Population Over Time Generation1 2 3 4 5Average mass of red panda 4.6 kg 4.6 kg 4.5 kg 4.4 kg 4.3 kgNucleotide Diversity in Population 0.000625 0.0005575 0.0004255 0.0003523 0.0003523 Population Size 48 47 44 44 42Deforested Land (acres) 150 150 450 4,500 54,000Which statement best explains why the nucleotide diversity of Red Pandas decreased over five generations?(1 point)ResponsesAs the population of red pandas decreased, 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 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
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The best explanation for the decrease in nucleotide diversity of the red panda population over five generations is:
**"As the population of red pandas decreased, there were a lesser number of genes to be passed down."**
This statement reflects the concept of genetic diversity, which often decreases as populations become smaller due to factors such as inbreeding and loss of alleles. When a population is reduced, the genetic variation within that population diminishes, leading to a decrease in nucleotide diversity over generations.
**"As the population of red pandas decreased, there were a lesser number of genes to be passed down."**
This statement reflects the concept of genetic diversity, which often decreases as populations become smaller due to factors such as inbreeding and loss of alleles. When a population is reduced, the genetic variation within that population diminishes, leading to a decrease in nucleotide diversity over generations.