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Why did the black peppered moth become more prevalent than the white peppered moth during the industrial revolution?The white peppered moth was killed by pollutionThe black peppered moth could fly faster and therefore escape predatorsThe black peppered moth ate the white peppered mothThe black peppered moth was better camouflaged against polluted tree bark

Question

Why did the black peppered moth become more prevalent than the white peppered moth during the industrial revolution?The white peppered moth was killed by pollutionThe black peppered moth could fly faster and therefore escape predatorsThe black peppered moth ate the white peppered mothThe black peppered moth was better camouflaged against polluted tree bark

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Solution

The black peppered moth became more prevalent than the white peppered moth during the industrial revolution due to a phenomenon known as industrial melanism. Here's a step-by-step explanation:

  1. Before the industrial revolution, both black and white peppered moths existed, but the white ones were more prevalent. This was because they could easily camouflage against the light-colored lichens and tree barks, protecting them from predators.

  2. During the industrial revolution, soot and pollution from factories darkened the tree barks and killed the light-colored lichens. This made the white moths more visible to predators, increasing their vulnerability.

  3. On the other hand, the black peppered moths, which were previously easily spotted against the light background, now became better camouflaged against the darkened tree barks. This reduced their visibility to predators.

  4. As a result, the survival and reproduction rate of black peppered moths increased, while that of the white peppered moths decreased. Over time, this led to the black peppered moths becoming more prevalent.

So, the correct answer is: The black peppered moth was better camouflaged against polluted tree bark.

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Similar Questions

During the Industrial Revolution, black peppered moths had better camouflage than white moths. Over many generations, black moths became very common in the population.

During the Industrial Revolution, black peppered moths had better camouflage than white moths. Over many generations, black moths became very common in the population.What was the selection pressure:*1 pointPredators hunting more white moths than black moths.Predators hunting more black moths than white moths.Camouflage increased the frequency of the black colour trait in the population.Camouflage increased the frequency of the white colour trait in the population.

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.

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

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