Question

a university has been studying a population of hares in a specific region of alaska every may for the last 50 years. this population of hares has two coat colors, brown and white, that is determined by two alleles of a single gene. scientists recorded data on the population, then determined the frequency of the alleles for brown and white fur for each year. they also recorded the amount of snow that fell the previous winter. the graph below shows their data. which statement best predicts how the population of hares will be affected if the recent trend in snowfall continues? a. the hare population will be forced to move to an area with more snowfall. b. the allele for white fur will become extinct within 20 years. c. the frequency of the allele for brown fur will continue to increase. d. the hare population will be found in a much wider geographic range.

Explanation:

1. Analyze the graph: The blue line (allele for brown fur) shows a decreasing trend, and the snowfall (dotted line) shows an increasing trend over the years.
2. Evaluate Option A: There's no data suggesting the population will move; the graph is about allele frequencies, not migration. Eliminate A.
3. Evaluate Option B: The allele for white fur's frequency would increase with more snow (better camouflage), but "extinct" for white fur is incorrect as snow is increasing (favoring white fur). Eliminate B.
4. Evaluate Option C: The allele for brown fur is decreasing (from the graph) as snow increases, so it won't continue to increase. Eliminate C.
5. Evaluate Option D: With increasing snow, white - furred hares (favored by camouflage) will survive and reproduce better. This can lead to the hare population expanding its geographic range as the environment (more snow) becomes more suitable for them, and they can colonize new areas with similar snowy conditions.

Answer:

D. The hare population will be found in a much wider geographic range