explain how natural selection has resulted in the change of moth coloration over time. Use the information provided in the diagrams as evidence for your answer. A complete answer would use all four parts of natural selection to explain how the moth opopulation changed over time as shown in the graph

Answer 1

Natural selection is the process by which species evolve and adapt to their environment over time. This process is guided by four key components: variation, heritability, differential reproductive success, and accumulation of favorable traits.

In the case of moth coloration, initial variation in color can be seen in the population, as some moths are lighter in color and others are darker (as shown in the diagram). This variation is due to genetic differences among individuals.

Heritability is also a key component of natural selection, as traits that allow an organism to better survive and reproduce are more likely to be passed on to future generations. In the case of the moth population, darker moths are less likely to be eaten by predators on dark backgrounds, such as tree trunks, while lighter moths are less likely to be eaten on lighter backgrounds, such as lichen-covered trees. This heritability of coloration traits allows for the passing on of genes that provide a survival advantage.

Differential reproductive success further drives the process of natural selection. In this case, as darker moths have a survival advantage on dark backgrounds, they are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on their favorable coloration traits to their offspring. Conversely, lighter moths are less likely to survive and reproduce, leading to a decrease in their frequency in the population over time.

This leads to an accumulation of favorable traits within the population, as seen in the diagram. Over time, the population shifts towards a higher frequency of darker moths, as they are better adapted to their environment and have greater reproductive success.

In conclusion, natural selection has resulted in the change of moth coloration over time by selecting for traits that provide a survival advantage in a specific environment, leading to the evolution of a population with a higher frequency of individuals with those advantageous traits.