Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) Biology Practice Test

How might a large surplus of food influence the birth rate in a mammal population?

1. More food leads to fewer births.

2. It results in more healthy females and an increase in birth rate.

3. All mammals compete for food, decreasing the birth rate.

4. The population becomes more stable, reducing births.

The correct answer is: It results in more healthy females and an increase in birth rate.

The rationale behind the idea that a large surplus of food results in more healthy females and an increase in birth rate is rooted in basic principles of ecology and reproductive biology. When a mammal population has access to an abundant food supply, it typically leads to improved health and well-being among the individuals in that population. Nutrition plays a crucial role in reproductive success; it is well-documented that well-nourished females are more likely to conceive, carry to term, and raise healthier offspring. The availability of food supports higher energy levels, better body condition, and enhanced reproductive capabilities. Healthy females can produce more offspring, as they have the necessary resources to support pregnancy and lactation. Consequently, an increase in food supply can lead to a population boom, as both the quantity of offspring produced and their survival rates are directly influenced by the availability of nutrition in their environment. In contrast, the other options are less indicative of biological principles observed in mammalian populations. The assertion that more food leads to fewer births does not align with the understanding that ample resources typically support reproductive success. Suggesting that competition reduces food availability and birth rates overlooks the positive impact of food surplus on overall health and reproduction. Likewise, the idea that a stable population leads to reduced births fails