In peppered moth populations, light and dark moths are selected for in different environments. Which type of selection is this, and what would a distribution curve for all peppered moths look like?(1 point)

Question

Responses

stabilizing selection; two peaks at the extremes of the graph with a dip in the middle
stabilizing selection; two peaks at the extremes of the graph with a dip in the middle

disruptive selection; two peaks at the extremes of the graph with a dip in the middle
disruptive selection; two peaks at the extremes of the graph with a dip in the middle

stabilizing selection; a tall, narrow peak in the center of the graph
stabilizing selection; a tall, narrow peak in the center of the graph

disruptive selection; a tall, narrow peak in the center of the graph
disruptive selection; a tall, narrow peak in the center of the graph
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Answer 1

The correct response is:

disruptive selection; two peaks at the extremes of the graph with a dip in the middle.

Disruptive selection occurs when individuals at both extremes of a phenotypic range have higher fitness than those near the average. In the case of the peppered moth, the dark and light morphs are favored in different environments (e.g., dark moths in polluted areas and light moths in unpolluted areas), leading to a distribution curve that has two peaks (one for each morph) with a dip in the middle.