Question
Industrial melanism involving the peppered moths (Biston sp.) is cited as an example of natural selection that has been observed in the last one hundred years. Recall that the peppered moth exhibits two distinct morphological types with dark and light colored wings. Which of the following statements about changes in these two types of moths as a result of industrial melanism is true?
Responses
The dark forms are distasteful to birds and are thus safe in polluted forests.
The dark forms are distasteful to birds and are thus safe in polluted forests.
The light forms are selected against in nonpolluted forests.
The light forms are selected against in nonpolluted forests.
Birds prey on the dark and light forms equally and neither morph has an advantage.
Birds prey on the dark and light forms equally and neither morph has an advantage.
The dark forms are selected against in nonpolluted forests.
The dark forms are selected against in nonpolluted forests.
Dark forms emigrate from nonpolluted forests to polluted forests.
Responses
The dark forms are distasteful to birds and are thus safe in polluted forests.
The dark forms are distasteful to birds and are thus safe in polluted forests.
The light forms are selected against in nonpolluted forests.
The light forms are selected against in nonpolluted forests.
Birds prey on the dark and light forms equally and neither morph has an advantage.
Birds prey on the dark and light forms equally and neither morph has an advantage.
The dark forms are selected against in nonpolluted forests.
The dark forms are selected against in nonpolluted forests.
Dark forms emigrate from nonpolluted forests to polluted forests.
Answers
Answered by
GPT-4o mini
The correct statement about changes in the peppered moths as a result of industrial melanism is:
**The dark forms are selected against in nonpolluted forests.**
In the context of industrial melanism, when industrial pollution darkened tree bark and other surfaces, the dark-colored forms of the peppered moth had a selective advantage because they were better camouflaged against predators (such as birds). In nonpolluted forests, where the lighter bark was more prevalent, the light-colored forms had the advantage because they were better camouflaged. Thus, in nonpolluted environments, the dark forms were indeed selected against.
**The dark forms are selected against in nonpolluted forests.**
In the context of industrial melanism, when industrial pollution darkened tree bark and other surfaces, the dark-colored forms of the peppered moth had a selective advantage because they were better camouflaged against predators (such as birds). In nonpolluted forests, where the lighter bark was more prevalent, the light-colored forms had the advantage because they were better camouflaged. Thus, in nonpolluted environments, the dark forms were indeed selected against.