To study the effects of a mineral deficiency, a number of rats are divided into two groups: one group is fed a normal diet, whereas the other group is fed the same diet but with one necessary mineral left out. The animals receiving the normal diet remained healthy; those in the other group grew weaker. Formulate a hypothesis based on this experiment.

The best hypothesis would be - If missing mineral in the diet is not provided and is needed for the health of rats, the rats will grow weak.

Explanation:

A hypothesis is a possible or suggested explanation for any natural or unexplained phenomenon or occurrence based on the logic and available evidence or observation.

In this experiment, the phenomenon is that minerals are required for the growth of the rats as its explained by the experiment in which rats with normal diet are stronger than the diet with minerals left out. So the best hypothesis would be - if missing mineral which is required for health not provided to the rats, they grow weak.

the correct answer is:

a population changes in response to a change in the environment.