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Question

In 1917 the biologist Thomas Hunt Morgan conducted studies in which he kept some caterpillars in the dark and placed some others under red, green, or blue lights. Exposure to red light produced butterflies with brightly colored wings. Exposure to green light resulted in dark-colored wings. Exposure to blue light or no light resulted in pale-colored wings. What was the most likely conclusion of Morgan’s research?
The pigment in butterfly wings absorbs light from the environment.
Caterpillars exposed to red and green light are healthier than caterpillars exposed to no light or blue light.
The genes regulating wing color in butterflies are influenced by environmental factors.
The phenotypic expression of wing shape depends on color pigmentation in butterflies.

Answer 1

The most likely conclusion of Morgan’s research is: The genes regulating wing color in butterflies are influenced by environmental factors.

This conclusion aligns with the results of the experiment, where different light conditions affected the wing coloration of the butterflies, suggesting that environmental factors can influence the expression of genetic traits in these organisms.