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
If you wanted to present evidence that red panda populations were becoming less diverse over time, which choice correctly identifies the independent and dependent variables you would choose to use in your graph?

(1 point)
Responses

Independent = Nucleotide Diversity and Dependent = Generation
Independent = Nucleotide Diversity and Dependent = Generation

Independent = Generation and Dependent = Nucleotide Diversity
Independent = Generation and Dependent = Nucleotide Diversity

Independent = Acres of Deforested Land and Dependent = Generation
Independent = Acres of Deforested Land and Dependent = Generation

Independent = Generation and Dependent = Acres of Deforested Land

Answer 1

To present evidence that red panda populations were becoming less diverse over time, you would want to plot the change in nucleotide diversity as the generations progress. In this context:

• The independent variable would be the Generation (since it represents the time progression or the variable you are manipulating).
• The dependent variable would be the Nucleotide Diversity (since this is what you are measuring in response to changes in generations).

Thus, the correct choice is:

Independent = Generation and Dependent = Nucleotide Diversity