Explain Natural Selection Quick Check

Question

4 of 54 of 5 Items
Question
Consider the following scenario:

There are variations in the fur color of mice. Some mice have white fur. Some have dark fur. Foxes more easily catch mice with white fur.

What will likely be a consequence of this scenario?

(1 point)
Responses

Brown fur will become predominant.
Brown fur will become predominant.

White fur will become predominant.
White fur will become predominant.

Mice with white fur will be more likely to survive and reproduce.
Mice with white fur will be more likely to survive and reproduce.

Mice with brown fur will be less likely to pass on their genetic information.

Answer 1

The likely consequence of this scenario is that mice with white fur will be more likely to be caught by foxes and therefore less likely to survive and reproduce, while mice with brown fur will have a better chance of survival because they are better camouflaged. Over time, this will lead to brown fur becoming predominant in the population, and white fur becoming less common. This is an example of natural selection, which is the process by which organisms that are better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and pass on their genetic information to their offspring.