Question

in the lab, nachman examined dark mice from two different populations living hundreds of miles apart. the mice looked nearly identical. their dark color was caused by two different genes. what does this tell you? select all that apply. dark color evolved only once in rock pocket mice. dark fur color evolved independently on each lava flow. under very similar conditions, natural selection can favor very similar adaptations. there are at least two genes involved in creating dark mouse fur. two completely different mutations in two separate genes can generate the same phenotype.

Explanation:

• Option 1: Different mutations in separate genes (as dark color was caused by two different genes) can lead to the same phenotype (dark fur), so this is correct.
• Option 2: Since there are two different genes involved (as per the problem statement), there are at least two genes in creating dark mouse fur, so this is correct.
• Option 3: The mice are from two different populations (living hundreds of miles apart) under similar conditions (both have dark - colored fur which is an adaptation). Natural selection can favor similar adaptations (dark fur for camouflage, for example) under similar environmental conditions (like dark - colored habitats), so this is correct.
• Option 4: The problem states that dark color was caused by two different genes, meaning dark fur color evolved independently (due to different genetic mechanisms) on each lava flow, so this is correct.
• Option 5: The problem clearly says dark color was caused by two different genes, so dark color did not evolve only once.

Answer:

All options (Two completely different mutations in two separate genes can generate the same phenotype; There are at least two genes involved in creating dark mouse fur; Under very similar conditions, natural selection can favor very similar adaptations; Dark fur color evolved independently on each lava flow) are correct.