Predator helps to create checks on

Options

A. prey population
B. biological control of weeds and pests
C. species diversity
D. all of the above

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Predation**:
- Predation is a biological interaction where one organism (the predator) kills and eats another organism (the prey). This interaction is crucial for maintaining the balance within ecosystems.

2. **Role of Predators in Ecosystems**:
- Predators play a vital role in ecosystems by controlling the population of prey species. This helps prevent overpopulation, which can lead to resource depletion.

3. **Impact on Prey Population**:
- Predators tend to target the weak, sick, injured, or very young individuals of prey populations. By doing so, they help maintain a healthier prey population by allowing only the fittest individuals to survive and reproduce.

4. **Natural Selection**:
- The predation process contributes to natural selection. Predators often catch the sick or injured prey more easily, which helps to eliminate these less fit individuals from the population. This leads to a stronger, more resilient prey population over time.

5. **Disease Control**:
- By preying on sick individuals, predators can help control the spread of diseases within prey populations. This further contributes to the health of the ecosystem.

6. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, predators help create checks on prey populations, ensuring that they do not exceed the carrying capacity of their environment, and they also promote species diversity and health within ecosystems.