A species of fox lives in the arctic where the ground is covered in white snow most of the

Question

year. These arctic foxes hunt rodents and other small mammals, while their predators
include eagles, wolves, and polar bears. A mutation in its DNA causes a fox to have
white fur rather than brown. Given this information, would you classify this mutation as a
harmful, beneficial, or neutral mutation? Would this make the fox more or less likely to
survive? Explain your answer.

Answer 1

In this case, the mutation that causes the arctic fox to have white fur instead of brown can be classified as a beneficial mutation. This is because in the snowy environment of the arctic, having white fur helps the fox blend in with its surroundings, making it less visible to its predators such as eagles, wolves, and polar bears. This increased camouflage can increase the fox's chances of survival by helping it avoid being detected and caught by predators.

Additionally, the white fur may also provide some insulation against the cold temperatures of the arctic environment, further enhancing the fox's survival chances. Overall, the mutation that results in white fur for the arctic fox can be seen as a beneficial adaptation that increases the fox's likelihood of survival in its natural habitat.