Question

carlos is collecting data about the length of earthworms in his backyard. the shortest worm he found is 4 inches long; the longest worm is 8 inches long. if most of the worms are either short or long, which type of distribution is displayed in the population?
○ directional
○ disruptive
○ stabilizing
○ normal

Explanation:

To determine the distribution type, we analyze each option:

• Directional: Favors one extreme (e.g., mostly long or mostly short), but here both short and long are common, so not directional.
• Disruptive: Selects against intermediate phenotypes, favoring two extremes (short and long here, with few in between). This matches the scenario where most worms are either short or long.
• Stabilizing: Favors intermediate phenotypes (reduces variation around a mean), which is the opposite of most worms being extreme.
• Normal: A bell - shaped curve with most values around the mean (intermediate), not matching the "most are short or long" description.

Answer:

B. disruptive