Question
In a population of rabbits, 80% have brown coats and 20% have white coats. If the climate of the rabbits' habitat changes so that snow cover remains throughout the year, the distribution of coat color in this population of rabbits could change to 80% white and 20% brown. This change in distribution could occur because the frequencies of phenotypes tend to
A.
remain constant in spite of environmental changes.
B.
reflect the adaptive value of the traits to the population.
C.
change due to reproductive isolation.
D.
decrease for all traits in the population.
A.
remain constant in spite of environmental changes.
B.
reflect the adaptive value of the traits to the population.
C.
change due to reproductive isolation.
D.
decrease for all traits in the population.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The correct answer is:
**B. reflect the adaptive value of the traits to the population.**
This option is accurate because the change in coat color distribution in the rabbit population would occur as a response to the new environmental conditions (i.e., the snow-covered habitat). The white coat color provides better camouflage against the snow, which enhances survival and reproductive success for those rabbits. As a result, the frequencies of phenotypes (coat colors) would shift to reflect the adaptive value of those traits in the changed environment.
**B. reflect the adaptive value of the traits to the population.**
This option is accurate because the change in coat color distribution in the rabbit population would occur as a response to the new environmental conditions (i.e., the snow-covered habitat). The white coat color provides better camouflage against the snow, which enhances survival and reproductive success for those rabbits. As a result, the frequencies of phenotypes (coat colors) would shift to reflect the adaptive value of those traits in the changed environment.