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Cardinality in a data model specifically refers to the number of relationships allowed or required between entities in a database. It defines how many instances of one entity can relate to instances of another entity. For example, in a one-to-many relationship, one record in the first entity can be associated with multiple records in the second entity, while a many-to-one relationship indicates that many records in one entity can relate back to a single record in another.

Understanding cardinality is crucial for database design as it helps in establishing proper relationships among entities, ensuring data integrity, and optimizing the data structure for efficient querying. This concept directly influences how data is organized and helps business analysts determine how best to model the requirements of the business.

The other options do not accurately reflect the definition of cardinality. While unique attributes, foreign keys, and derived attributes are important concepts in a data model, they pertain to different aspects of data representation and relationships rather than specifically defining the nature and quantity of relationships between entities.