Population Graphs

Scientists measured the spot size of all the guppies (small fish) that lived in a river 40 years ago. They measured the spot size of the guppy population again last year. When was there more variation in the spot size of guppies in the river?

• These bar graphs do not show the amount of variation in the population.

• There was the same amount of variation in spot size 40 years ago and last year.

• There was more variation 40 years ago.

• There was more variation last year.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Which of the following statements is true based on the graph?

• Species 1 is better adapted to live with species 2

• Species 1 is better adapted to live without species 2

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Which is true according to the graph?

• Between month 1 and month 5, the population size was zero.

• Between month 4 and month 6, a predator was introduced into the ecosystem and increased the death rate.

• Between month 5 and month 7, the birth rates decreased and the death rates increased.

• Between month 8 and month 12, the population size showed a drastic decrease

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

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Scientists measured the spot size of guppies (small fish) in two different populations. Which population has more guppies with large spots?

• They both have the same number of guppies with large spots.

• The population in Brazil has more guppies with large spots.

• The population in Venezuela has more guppies with large spots.

• These bar graphs do not show which population has more guppies with large spots.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Hummingbirds can have different beak lengths. They use their beaks to reach to the nectar (their food) at the bottom of flowers. Hummingbirds with longer beaks can get food from long flowers. Hummingbirds with shorter beaks cannot reach the nectar in long flowers. If a hummingbird can’t easily reach its food, it will die. The diagrams below show three possible hummingbird populations. If their environment changes to have only long flowers, which of the following hummingbird populations will most likely survive?

• Only population 2 will survive because it is the only population with variation.

• All the populations will survive because the hummingbirds will change the length of their beaks if they need to.

• Populations 1 and 2 will survive.

• Populations 2 and 3 will survive.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-4

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Scientists measured the height of the giraffes in two different populations. Which population has the largest number of tall giraffes?

• The population in Niger has the largest number of tall giraffes.

• The population in Somalia has the largest number of tall giraffes.

• Both populations have the same number of tall giraffes.

• These bar graphs do not show which population has more tall giraffes.

Scientists measured the spine size of a population of cactuses found in an area in 1970. They measured the spine size of the cactus population again in 2015. Which of the statements below best describes the difference in the cactuses at the two time points?

• The cactuses in 1970 had smaller spines than the cactuses in 2015.

• The cactuses in 1970 had larger spines than the cactuses in 2015.

• There were more cactuses in 1970 than there were in 2015.

• There was more variation in spine size in 1970 than there was in 2015.

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What may explain the change in the deer population at year 6?

• The environment may have changed color so that the deer blended better with its surroundings

• The environment may have changed color so that the deer were easier to be seen

• Hunters in the area began to hunt other animals instead of deer

• The deer began to reproduce more

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NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Which of the following best describes a population graph?

• A graphical representation of the number of individuals in a population over time.

• A chart showing the genetic variation within a population.

• A diagram illustrating the food chain in an ecosystem.

• A map indicating the geographical distribution of a species.

In a population graph, what does the carrying capacity represent?

• The maximum number of individuals an environment can support sustainably.

• The total number of species in a given area.

• The average birth rate of a population.

• The minimum number of individuals needed for a population to survive.