Question

Which of the following Population is most likely to go extinct

• A. A large population with lots of genetic variability.
• B. A moderate-sized population of r strategists
• C. A very small population in an unstable environment.
• D. All would be equally likely to go extinct

Answer 1

The correct option is C A very small population in an unstable environment.

A moderate-sized population of r strategists - Populations that adopt the r strategy use their high growth rate as their means of survival. They are good colonizers and can rebound from catastrophes easily. Therefore they usually inhabit unstable and unpredictable habitats.
A large population with lots of genetic variability will have a good probablitiy of surving because of the genetic diversity in the gene pool.
A small population is unlikely to have much genetic variability. And in an unstable environment they are more prone to catastrophes, and therefore have very high chance of going extinct.