Question

Which of the following is best at showing the life expectancy of an individual within a population? a. quadrat b. mark and recapture c. survivorship curve d. life table

Short answer

The best method for showing the life expectancy of an individual within a population is: d. life table.

Step-by-step solution

Choice Analysis

Analyze each choice, a quadrat is used for studying plant distribution which doesn't involve life expectancy. Similarly, mark and recapture is a technique used for estimating animal populations and does not directly relate to individual life expectancies.

Survivorship Curve vs Life Table

Both methods, the survivorship curve and life table, are used when analyzing life expectancies. A survivorship curve displays the number or proportion of individuals surviving at each age for a given species or group. Life table, on the other hand, is an age-specific summary of the survival pattern of a population. It often encompasses more detailed information about age-specific mortality and survival rates than a survivorship curve.

Conclusive Decision

From these descriptions, it seems that a life table would be best at showing the life expectancy of an individual within a population, as it provides a more detailed analysis of age-specific mortality and survival rates compared to a survivorship curve.