Question
A student wants to know the effect a mutation might have on a species’ survival. The change causes a rabbit to have mottled brown fur. The student runs a computer simulation for ten generations. What possible conclusions can you draw? Choose ALL that apply.
Responses
A Evolution occurred because the allele frequency changed over time.Evolution occurred because the allele frequency changed over time.
B Evolution is not occurring, mutation just introduced a new trait in the gene pool.Evolution is not occurring, mutation just introduced a new trait in the gene pool.
C The rabbits with mottled brown fur have a selective advantage that gives them more camouflage from predators.The rabbits with mottled brown fur have a selective advantage that gives them more camouflage from predators.
D The mottled brown fur mutation is neutral because the other fur color traits still appear in the rabbit population.The mottled brown fur mutation is neutral because the other fur color traits still appear in the rabbit population.
E The mutation had a positive effect, allowing those rabbits with the mottled brown fur to survive and reproduce better than those with the brown or white fur.The mutation had a positive effect, allowing those rabbits with the mottled brown fur to survive and reproduce better than those with the brown or white fur.
Responses
A Evolution occurred because the allele frequency changed over time.Evolution occurred because the allele frequency changed over time.
B Evolution is not occurring, mutation just introduced a new trait in the gene pool.Evolution is not occurring, mutation just introduced a new trait in the gene pool.
C The rabbits with mottled brown fur have a selective advantage that gives them more camouflage from predators.The rabbits with mottled brown fur have a selective advantage that gives them more camouflage from predators.
D The mottled brown fur mutation is neutral because the other fur color traits still appear in the rabbit population.The mottled brown fur mutation is neutral because the other fur color traits still appear in the rabbit population.
E The mutation had a positive effect, allowing those rabbits with the mottled brown fur to survive and reproduce better than those with the brown or white fur.The mutation had a positive effect, allowing those rabbits with the mottled brown fur to survive and reproduce better than those with the brown or white fur.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Based on the scenario provided, the following conclusions can be drawn:
A. **Evolution occurred because the allele frequency changed over time.** - This is a valid conclusion if the simulation showed a change in allele frequencies, indicating that evolution has occurred.
C. **The rabbits with mottled brown fur have a selective advantage that gives them more camouflage from predators.** - This could be true if the simulation demonstrated that mottled brown fur indeed provided better camouflage and thereby improved survival rates against predation.
E. **The mutation had a positive effect, allowing those rabbits with the mottled brown fur to survive and reproduce better than those with the brown or white fur.** - If the rabbits with mottled brown fur had higher survival and reproductive success, this conclusion would also be valid.
The other options can be evaluated as follows:
B. **Evolution is not occurring, mutation just introduced a new trait in the gene pool.** - This statement contradicts the principle of evolution, as the introduction of a new trait can lead to changes in allele frequencies in response to natural selection.
D. **The mottled brown fur mutation is neutral because the other fur color traits still appear in the rabbit population.** - While it's possible for a mutation to be neutral, if it confers a selective advantage (as suggested in C and E), it would not be classified as neutral.
Therefore, the correct responses are A, C, and E.
A. **Evolution occurred because the allele frequency changed over time.** - This is a valid conclusion if the simulation showed a change in allele frequencies, indicating that evolution has occurred.
C. **The rabbits with mottled brown fur have a selective advantage that gives them more camouflage from predators.** - This could be true if the simulation demonstrated that mottled brown fur indeed provided better camouflage and thereby improved survival rates against predation.
E. **The mutation had a positive effect, allowing those rabbits with the mottled brown fur to survive and reproduce better than those with the brown or white fur.** - If the rabbits with mottled brown fur had higher survival and reproductive success, this conclusion would also be valid.
The other options can be evaluated as follows:
B. **Evolution is not occurring, mutation just introduced a new trait in the gene pool.** - This statement contradicts the principle of evolution, as the introduction of a new trait can lead to changes in allele frequencies in response to natural selection.
D. **The mottled brown fur mutation is neutral because the other fur color traits still appear in the rabbit population.** - While it's possible for a mutation to be neutral, if it confers a selective advantage (as suggested in C and E), it would not be classified as neutral.
Therefore, the correct responses are A, C, and E.