Question

instructions
read the passage and answer the following question(s).
lizard body color
lizard body color and survival
the chart below shows the body color distribution in a lizard population over 30
generations. a single gene controls the color of the lizards bodies. two genetic
mutations occurred in the original population that resulted in red and black body
color. the initial population lived in a sandy environment.
color distribution in lizard population over 30 generations
multiple choice 10 points
9
which statement best describes what happened to the population of red lizards?
the population remained stable because they were able to pass on their
traits to each generation of offspring.
the population remained stable because they were better able to hide and
avoid being eaten by predators.
the population decreased because they were unable to survive in the
environment and reach reproductive age.
the population decreased because their skin coloring was the result of a
mutation in the original population.

Explanation:

The table shows the change in lizard body color over generations. The initial population had 80% brown - colored lizards. As generations passed, the percentage of brown lizards decreased while black lizards increased. This is likely due to natural selection. Brown lizards may have been more visible to predators in the sandy environment (assuming the environment changed or there was a predation pressure), and black lizards were better able to hide and avoid being eaten by predators. This allowed black - colored lizards to survive and pass on their traits to the next generation.

Answer:

The population remained stable because they were better able to hide and avoid being eaten by predators.