A termite population was sprayed with a certain brand of insecticide. After being sprayed, the number of surviving termites within the population were counted and recorded as a percentage of the total. This process was repeated until a total of six generations of termites had been sprayed. The results are shown in the table below.
1= 5%
2 =10%
3= 25%
4= 40%
5= 60%
6=80%
a. Later generations were the offspring of termites that were more resistant to the spraying.
b. Later generations were able to live through the spraying because they were used to it.
c. Earlier generations had smaller numbers of termites than later generations.
d. Earlier generations had several members that were old and weak.
From the mathematical representation above, which explanation evaluates how natural selection leads to changes in specific traits of the termite population?
The table provided shows the survival rates of a termite population after being sprayed with a certain brand of insecticide over the course of six generations:
Generation 1: 5% of the termites survived after being sprayed.
Generation 2: 10% of the termites survived after being sprayed.
Generation 3: 25% of the termites survived after being sprayed.
Generation 4: 40% of the termites survived after being sprayed.
Generation 5: 60% of the termites survived after being sprayed.
Generation 6: 80% of the termites survived after being sprayed.
These percentages represent the proportion of termites that were able to survive the insecticide treatment in each generation.
To analyze the results of the termite population after each generation, we can observe the trend in the percentage of surviving termites over the six generations.
To determine the trend, we can plot a graph with the generation number on the x-axis and the percentage of surviving termites on the y-axis.
1. Start by creating a graph with the x-axis labeled as "Generation" and the y-axis labeled as "Percentage of Surviving Termites".
2. Plot the data points on the graph using the generation numbers as x-coordinates and the corresponding percentage of surviving termites as y-coordinates.
3. Connect the data points with a line to get a visual representation of the trend.
From the given data, we can see that the percentage of surviving termites increases with each generation. In other words, the insecticide is less effective at killing termites as the generations progress.
To determine the rate of increase in the percentage of surviving termites, we can calculate the difference between consecutive generations.
1. Start with the second generation (generation 2).
2. Calculate the difference in percentage of surviving termites between generation 2 and generation 1.
- Difference = Percentage of surviving termites in generation 2 - Percentage of surviving termites in generation 1.
3. Repeat this calculation for each subsequent generation, using the percentage of surviving termites in the current generation and the previous generation.
4. The resulting differences show the rate of increase in the percentage of surviving termites between consecutive generations.