Question

how do peppered moths after the industrial revolution show the process of natural selection?
a. the moths with the highest fitness were selected for.
b. the moths with the highest fitness were selected against.
c. the moths with the highest fitness were not able to reproduce.
d. the moths with the highest fitness became less common.

Explanation:

Before the Industrial Revolution, light - colored peppered moths were well - camouflaged against light - colored tree bark (high fitness). After the Industrial Revolution, soot darkened the trees. Dark - colored moths then had higher fitness (better camouflaged). Natural selection acts to select for individuals with higher fitness. So, the moths with the highest fitness (whether light or dark depending on the environment) were selected for, which is in line with the concept of natural selection. Option B is incorrect as selection against high - fitness individuals goes against natural selection. Option C is wrong because high - fitness individuals are more likely to reproduce. Option D is incorrect as high - fitness individuals should become more common.

Answer:

A. The moths with the highest fitness were selected for.