In peppered moth populations, light and dark moths are selected for in different environments. Which type of selection is this, and what would a distribution curve for all peppered moths look like?(1 point)

Question

Responses

disruptive selection; two peaks at the extremes of the graph with a dip in the middle
disruptive selection; two peaks at the extremes of the graph with a dip in the middle

stabilizing selection; two peaks at the extremes of the graph with a dip in the middle
stabilizing selection; two peaks at the extremes of the graph with a dip in the middle

disruptive selection; a tall, narrow peak in the center of the graph
disruptive selection; a tall, narrow peak in the center of the graph

stabilizing selection; a tall, narrow peak in the center of the graph
stabilizing selection; a tall, narrow peak in the center of the graph

Answer 1

The correct response is:

disruptive selection; two peaks at the extremes of the graph with a dip in the middle.

In disruptive selection, individuals at both extremes of the phenotypic range are favored, while those with intermediate traits are selected against. In the case of peppered moths, this means that light and dark moths are better adapted to their respective environments (light versus dark forests), leading to a bimodal distribution curve with two peaks corresponding to the two color variations.