The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Of course. Based on the provided text and the principles of evolution, here is the answer.
Correct Answer
The dark-colored peppered moth became the predominant color through the process of natural selection, which was driven by environmental changes during England’s Industrial Revolution.
Detailed Explanation
The change in the peppered moth population is a classic example of natural selection in action. This process can be understood by breaking it down into a few key steps that were part of the model of species change.
First, natural genetic variation existed within the peppered moth population. The vast majority of moths were a light, speckled color, which provided excellent camouflage against the light-colored lichen that covered trees. However, a random genetic mutation resulted in a few moths being born with a dark, or melanic, coloration. Initially, this dark color was a disadvantage, as these moths stood out against the light trees and were easily spotted and eaten by predators like birds. Because of this, the dark form remained very rare.
Second, the environment changed dramatically. The Industrial Revolution in the 19th century caused factories to release huge amounts of soot into the air. This pollution killed the light-colored lichens on trees and stained the tree bark a dark, sooty color. This fundamentally altered the moths’ habitat and created a new selection pressure.
Third, this environmental shift led to differential survival and reproduction. In the new, darkened environment, the roles were reversed. The dark-colored moths were now perfectly camouflaged against the soot-stained bark. Predators had a difficult time seeing them. Conversely, the light-colored moths stood out starkly against the dark background, making them easy prey. As a result, the dark moths survived longer and were able to reproduce more successfully, passing on their genes for dark coloration.
Finally, over many generations, this advantage led to adaptation. The frequency of the gene for dark coloration increased throughout the population in industrial areas. What was once a rare trait became the most common one because it provided a clear survival advantage. By 1895, the dark-colored moth was the predominant form, demonstrating how a species can rapidly change in response to pressures in its environment.
