Question

question 6 of 25
why would a trait for a darker body color in peppered moths become more
common in a population where there are high levels of soot and pollution?
a. when the environment is darker, peppered moths that are darker
are more likely to survive and pass on their genes.
b. as predators catch more dark - colored moths, they begin to
reproduce at a faster rate.
c. when the environment changes, individual light - colored moths
change color to blend in with the new environment.
d. darker - colored moths migrate into regions with darker
environments because they prefer the soot - covered trees.
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Explanation:

This is an example of natural selection. In a darker (soot - polluted) environment, darker - colored moths have a camouflage advantage. They are less likely to be eaten by predators compared to light - colored moths. Since they survive more often, they can reproduce and pass on the genes for darker body color to their offspring. Over time, this makes the trait for darker body color more common in the population.

• Option B is incorrect because if predators catch more dark - colored moths, they would not be selected for (their genes would not be passed on as much).
• Option C is incorrect as individual moths do not change color in response to environmental change in this way. Moths do not have the ability to deliberately change their color like some chameleons.
• Option D is incorrect as the change in the population is due to differential survival and reproduction (natural selection) in the existing population, not migration of darker - colored moths into the area.

Answer:

A. When the environment is darker, peppered moths that are darker are more likely to survive and pass on their genes.