Question

after many generations in the same environment, most of the individuals in a population are likely to have advantageous variations due to natural selection. this means that natural selection can help the population adapt to environmental changes.
consider the population of mice in a valley covered with black rocks. imagine that a sandstorm covers most of the populations environment in brown sand. think about how natural selection could help the population adapt to this environmental change.
order the statements below to describe the population before and after the environmental change.
the population of mice is in an environment with many black rocks.
after many generations, most of the mice in the population have black fur.
a sandstorm covers most of the populations environment with brown sand.
mice with black fur are less likely to survive and reproduce than mice with brown fur.
mice with black fur are more likely to survive and reproduce than mice with brown fur.
after many generations, most of the mice in the population have brown fur.

Explanation:

• First, the mice are in an environment with black rocks. Over generations, black - furred mice (better camouflaged) survive and reproduce more, so most have black fur.
• Then, a sandstorm changes the environment to brown sand. Now, black - furred mice are less camouflaged (less likely to survive and reproduce), while brown - furred mice are better camouflaged (more likely to survive and reproduce).
• Over many generations after the sandstorm, most mice have brown fur.

Answer:

1. The population of mice is in an environment with many black rocks.
2. After many generations, most of the mice in the population have black fur.
3. A sandstorm covers most of the population's environment in brown sand.
4. Mice with black fur are less likely to survive and reproduce than mice with brown fur.
5. After many generations, most of the mice in the population have brown fur.