define natural selection and explain the peppered moth example
Question
define natural selection and explain the peppered moth example
Solution
Natural selection is a key mechanism of evolution, the process by which biological traits become either more or less common in a population due to consistent effects upon the survival or reproduction of their bearers. It is a key mechanism of evolution. The term "natural selection" was popularized by Charles Darwin who intended it to be compared with artificial selection, now more commonly referred to as selective breeding.
The peppered moth example is a classical example of natural selection. The peppered moth (Biston betularia), a species native to Great Britain, comes in two main varieties: a light, speckled form and a dark, melanic form. Prior to the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century, the light form was more common. This is thought to be because the moths would rest on light-colored, lichen-covered trees during the day, and their coloring would help them blend in and avoid predation.
However, during the Industrial Revolution, soot and pollution killed off the lichens and darkened the trees. In this new environment, the dark form of the peppered moth was better camouflaged, and thus less likely to be eaten by birds. Over time, the frequency of the dark form increased in the population: this is natural selection in action. When pollution controls were implemented in the mid-20th century and the lichens returned, the light form of the moth again became more common.
This example illustrates the key points of natural selection: that advantageous traits become more common in a population over time, and that the environment can play a key role in determining which traits are advantageous.
Similar Questions
In the peppered moth example, what caused the population to evolve?Group of answer choicesa change in their predatorsthey just wanted to changea change in the environmenta change in their food choice
Which of the following is natural selection?When a pregnancy is terminatedWhen animals or plants are bred by humans to produce desired characteristicsWhen humans adapt to their environment, e.g. by wearing clothes for warmthWhen a mutation in an organism that makes it better suited to its environment is passed on to the next generation2Why did the black peppered moth become more prevalent than the white peppered moth during the industrial revolution?The black peppered moth ate the white peppered mothThe black peppered moth could fly faster and therefore escape predatorsThe black peppered moth was better camouflaged against polluted tree barkThe white peppered moth was killed by pollution3Natural selection within a species occurs when advantageous genetic mutations are passed on to the next generation. Which of the following is the best explanation for why this happens?Mutations cause changes in the environment that make breeding more successfulThe mutation can be passed from individual to individual by pathogensIndividuals with the mutation can escape predators more easilyIndividuals with the mutation are more likely to survive and breed successfully 4Why can bacteria evolve more quickly than other species?They are simple unicellular organismsThey reproduce at a fast rateThey are resistant to antibioticsThey have been around for millions of years
What is natural selection?
The peppered moth is often used as a case study to illustrate natural selection. The allele for dark-colored is dominant and the allele for light colored is recessive. In the 1850's light-colored moths were higher in population size and easily camouflaged in the trees from predators; however after industrial air pollution covered the trees with soot in the early 1900's the dark-colored moths blended in with the trees more effectively and became greater in number than the light-colored moths. Which evolutionary trend is demonstrated?Group of answer choicesa smaller percentage of light-colored moths survive to reproduce, shrinking the gene pool and causing mutations.the populations of the light-colored and the dark-colored moths will both become extinct.more dark-colored moths survive to reproduce, which shifted the allele frequency towards the dark-colored allele.over time, the birds will get used to eating the light-colored moths and stop eating the dark-colored moths.
Explain how natural selection caused the frequency of black moths within the population to increase during the Industrial Revolution.
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