In population demography, how can a histogram (age-structure diagram) help describe a population?

• A. It identifies the rate of mutation in a population by comparing DNA sequences across generations.
• B. It directly measures the genetic diversity of a population by showing allele frequencies for multiple loci.
• C. It determines the exact carrying capacity of an ecosystem by plotting resource availability over time.
• D. It displays the number or proportion of individuals in different age classes, helping infer growth trends such as rapid growth, stability, or decline.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that an age-structure diagram, or population histogram, visually represents the distribution of individuals across different age groups within a population.
2. Recognize that by showing the number or proportion of individuals in each age class, the diagram provides insight into the population's reproductive patterns and survival rates.
3. Analyze the shape of the histogram: a broad base suggests rapid growth (many young individuals), a uniform shape indicates stability, and a narrow base points to a declining population.
4. Use the age-structure information to infer future population trends, such as potential increases or decreases in population size based on the current age distribution.
5. Note that this method focuses on demographic data (age classes) rather than genetic data or resource availability, distinguishing it from other population analysis tools.