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Multiple Choice
Which of the following is best at showing the life expectancy of an individual within a population?
A
Survivorship curve
B
Age structure diagram
C
Carrying capacity
D
Population pyramid
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of life expectancy: Life expectancy refers to the average number of years an individual is expected to live based on current mortality rates.
Identify the purpose of each option: A survivorship curve, age structure diagram, carrying capacity, and population pyramid each provide different insights into population dynamics.
Define a survivorship curve: A survivorship curve is a graph that represents the number of individuals in a population that survive to various ages. It is particularly useful for understanding life expectancy as it shows the likelihood of survival at different ages.
Compare with other options: An age structure diagram shows the distribution of various age groups in a population, a carrying capacity refers to the maximum population size an environment can sustain, and a population pyramid is a graphical illustration of the age and sex distribution of a population.
Conclude which option best shows life expectancy: Since a survivorship curve directly illustrates the survival rate of individuals at different ages, it is the best tool for showing life expectancy within a population.