Question
The following table provides data for a population of mammoths living in cold environments based on fossil and DNA evidence.
Characteristic Percent of Population Showing Trait by Generation
Generation 1 Generation 2 Generation 3
Fur thickness greater than 6 cm 15 25 35
Fur thickness less than 6 cm 85 75 65
Based on this data and your knowledge of natural selection, which explanation best explains the trends seen in the data?
(1 point)
Responses
Individuals with thicker fur had a survival advantage in the cold environment, allowing these individuals to reproduce more often and create more offspring.
Individuals with thicker fur had a survival advantage in the cold environment, allowing these individuals to reproduce more often and create more offspring.
This population is in equilibrium since allele frequencies are not changing.
This population is in equilibrium since allele frequencies are not changing.
Individuals with thick fur emmigrate from the population of mammoths.
Individuals with thick fur emmigrate from the population of mammoths.
Individuals will choose to mate with other individuals that have thick fur.
Characteristic Percent of Population Showing Trait by Generation
Generation 1 Generation 2 Generation 3
Fur thickness greater than 6 cm 15 25 35
Fur thickness less than 6 cm 85 75 65
Based on this data and your knowledge of natural selection, which explanation best explains the trends seen in the data?
(1 point)
Responses
Individuals with thicker fur had a survival advantage in the cold environment, allowing these individuals to reproduce more often and create more offspring.
Individuals with thicker fur had a survival advantage in the cold environment, allowing these individuals to reproduce more often and create more offspring.
This population is in equilibrium since allele frequencies are not changing.
This population is in equilibrium since allele frequencies are not changing.
Individuals with thick fur emmigrate from the population of mammoths.
Individuals with thick fur emmigrate from the population of mammoths.
Individuals will choose to mate with other individuals that have thick fur.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The explanation that best explains the trends seen in the data is:
**Individuals with thicker fur had a survival advantage in the cold environment, allowing these individuals to reproduce more often and create more offspring.**
This statement accurately reflects the principles of natural selection, as the increasing percentage of individuals with thicker fur across generations suggests that those with thicker fur are more likely to survive and reproduce in cold environments compared to those with thinner fur. Consequently, their offspring increase the frequency of the trait (thicker fur) in the population over generations.
**Individuals with thicker fur had a survival advantage in the cold environment, allowing these individuals to reproduce more often and create more offspring.**
This statement accurately reflects the principles of natural selection, as the increasing percentage of individuals with thicker fur across generations suggests that those with thicker fur are more likely to survive and reproduce in cold environments compared to those with thinner fur. Consequently, their offspring increase the frequency of the trait (thicker fur) in the population over generations.