Question

Which of the following is not an attribute of a population ?

• A. Sex ratio
• B. Natality
• C. Mortality
• D. Species interaction

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

To determine which of the given options is not an attribute of a population, we must understand the concept of a population in biological terms. A population is defined as a group of individuals of the same species that live in a particular geographical area and have the capability of interbreeding.

Attributes of a Population:

• Sex ratio: This is the proportion of males to females in a population. It affects the population's ability to reproduce and is a key demographic characteristic.
• Natality: Also known as birth rate, natality refers to the number of births in a population over a given period of time. It is a crucial factor that influences population growth.
• Mortality: This denotes the death rate within a population, representing the number of deaths in a population over a specific period.

Option Evaluation:

The first three options (sex ratio, natality, and mortality) are direct attributes of a population as they describe demographic characteristics and dynamics of a population.

Species interaction, on the other hand, refers to the various interactions that occur between different species within an ecosystem, such as predation, competition, mutualism, etc. This is more related to community characteristics than to a single population's attributes.

Therefore, the correct answer is Species interaction, as it is not an attribute of a population but an attribute of species within a community.