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

11 answers

The mutation that causes the arctic fox to have white fur instead of brown fur would be classified as a beneficial mutation in the context of its environment.

Explanation:

  1. Camouflage: The arctic fox's natural habitat is characterized by snow and ice, which makes white fur an advantageous trait. White fur provides effective camouflage in this environment, allowing the fox to blend in with its surroundings while hunting for rodents and other small mammals. This increased ability to hide from prey can enhance its hunting success.

  2. Predation: Conversely, white fur also helps in evading predators. By being less visible against the snowy background, a white-furred fox is less likely to be spotted by predators such as eagles, wolves, and polar bears. This increased survivability from predation fosters a greater likelihood of survival and reproduction.

  3. Natural Selection: If this white-furred mutation improves the fox's chances to survive and reproduce in the arctic environment, over time, natural selection would favor this trait. Thus, more foxes in the population might carry the white-fur mutation as it becomes more prevalent in the gene pool due to the survival advantage it confers.

In summary, the mutation for white fur in arctic foxes can be classified as a beneficial mutation, making the fox more likely to survive in its environment.

Use the paragraph to answer the question in 5 sentences

The mutation that causes arctic foxes to have white fur instead of brown fur is classified as a beneficial mutation. White fur provides effective camouflage in the snowy environment, allowing the fox to blend in while hunting rodents and small mammals. This trait enhances its hunting success, making it easier to catch prey. Additionally, the white fur helps the fox evade predators such as eagles, wolves, and polar bears. As a result, this mutation increases the fox's chances of survival and reproduction in the arctic habitat.

Make your answer look more like an 11 year old wrote it

The mutation that makes arctic foxes have white fur instead of brown fur is a good thing for them. Having white fur helps them blend in with the snow, which makes it easier for them to sneak up on their food, like little rodents. This way, they can catch their prey better. Also, being white helps them hide from predators like eagles and wolves, so they don’t get eaten. So, this mutation helps them survive and have lots of babies in the cold arctic!

But make sure your answer is also informal

So, the mutation that makes arctic foxes have white fur instead of brown is actually pretty cool for them! The white fur helps them blend in with all the snow, which means they can sneak up on their dinner, like little rodents, without being seen. Plus, it makes it way harder for predators like eagles and wolves to spot them, so they don’t get gobbled up. Basically, this mutation helps the foxes survive and live their best lives in the freezing arctic! It totally gives them an edge out there!

I mean formal

The mutation that gives arctic foxes white fur instead of brown fur is considered a beneficial adaptation. The white fur allows the foxes to blend in seamlessly with their snowy environment, enhancing their ability to hunt small mammals effectively. This camouflage not only aids in capturing prey but also helps the foxes avoid detection by predators such as eagles, wolves, and polar bears. As a result, this mutation increases their chances of survival and reproduction in the harsh Arctic habitat. Overall, the white fur mutation provides a significant advantage in their specific environment.

Use less fancy words

The mutation that causes arctic foxes to have white fur instead of brown is a helpful change. The white fur helps them blend in with the snow, making it easier for them to sneak up on small animals to catch for food. It also helps them stay hidden from predators like eagles, wolves, and polar bears, so they are less likely to be eaten. Because of this, the white fur helps the foxes survive and have more babies in their cold Arctic home. Overall, this change gives them a better chance in their environment.