Question

use the information and your knowledge of science to answer the question.
a population of frogs lives in a pond less than a mile away from a nuclear power plant. twenty years after an accident, where radiation spilled out of the plants for several months, scientists observe changes in the frogs. the texture of their skin is rough and scaly, instead of smooth and moist like it used to be. which of the following best explains this change?
a the radiation from the nuclear power plant caused mutations in the dna of the frog. the change in dna resulted in rough, scaly skin. this new trait helped the frogs survive and reproduce more successfully than others, so it was passed along to subsequent generations.
b the radiation from the nuclear power plant melted the skin of the frogs, making their skin rough and scaly. this new trait helped the frogs survive and reproduce in their environment more successfully than others, so it was passed along to subsequent generations.
c the radiation from the nuclear power plant could not have affected the dna of the frogs, so the change in the texture of the frogs skin must have been due to climate change.
d the radiation from the nuclear power plant caused the frogs to reproduce asexually and resulted in the rough, scaly skin. this new trait helped the frogs survive and reproduce more successfully than others, so it was passed along to subsequent generations.

Explanation:

Mutation is a change in the DNA sequence. In this case, radiation from the nuclear power plant caused mutations in the DNA of the frog. The new trait (rough and scaly skin) helped the frogs survive and reproduce more successfully than others. According to the theory of natural selection, traits that enhance survival and reproduction are more likely to be passed on to subsequent generations. Option A correctly describes this process. Option B is incorrect because the mutation was caused by radiation, not the need to survive. Option C is wrong as the radiation did affect the DNA. Option D is incorrect because the frogs reproduced sexually (as most animals do, and there's no indication of asexual reproduction here).

Answer:

A. The radiation from the nuclear power plant caused mutations in the DNA of the frog. The change in DNA resulted in rough, scaly skin. This new trait helped the frogs survive and reproduce more successfully than others, so it was passed along to subsequent generations.