Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
How might a sudden cold front limit the population growth of newborn offspring in a population?
A
By increasing the availability of food resources
B
By reducing the risk of predation on newborns
C
By increasing mortality rates due to exposure to low temperatures
D
By promoting faster growth and development in newborns
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the problem: The question is asking how a sudden cold front could impact the population growth of newborn offspring in a population. Consider the biological factors that influence survival and growth in newborns, such as temperature, food availability, predation, and development rates.
Analyze the options: Evaluate each provided option to determine its relevance to the effects of a cold front. For example, consider whether a cold front would realistically increase food resources, reduce predation, increase mortality, or promote faster growth.
Focus on temperature effects: A sudden cold front introduces low temperatures, which can directly affect the survival of newborns. Newborns are often more vulnerable to environmental stressors, including extreme temperatures, due to their underdeveloped thermoregulatory systems.
Eliminate incorrect options: A cold front is unlikely to increase food resources or promote faster growth and development, as these typically require favorable environmental conditions. Similarly, it is unlikely to reduce predation risk, as predation is not directly linked to temperature changes.
Conclude with the correct answer: The most plausible effect of a sudden cold front is an increase in mortality rates among newborns due to exposure to low temperatures, which can lead to hypothermia or other temperature-related stressors.