H.B.D. Kettlewell observed that peppered moths in the forests of England were becoming darker in color over time. In addition, he observed that pollution had turned the tree trunks black. He thought it would be easy for birds to spot and capture light-colored moths resting on the black tree trunks and that this would result in light moths being eaten more often than dark moths.
A. State, in the form of a hypothesis, Kettlewell’s explanation as to why a great proportion of the moths were dark. Complete this sentence: The great proportion of the moths are dark because______________________________
B. Kettlewell tested his idea that moths who did not match the color of the tree trunks would be more obvious to predators. He placed light moths on dark tree trunks and observed how many of them were eaten by birds. Then he placed the same number of dark moths on dark tree trunks and observed how many were eaten by birds.What was the variable in this experiment?
C. Imagine that Kettlewell released 50 light moths onto dark tree trunks and 30 were eaten. He released 50 dark moths onto dark tree trunks and 10 were eaten. Would these results uphold or discredit his hypothesis? Why?
What don't you understand about this assignment?
the great proportion of the moths are dark because
A. Based on Kettlewell's observations, his hypothesis would state that "The great proportion of the moths are dark because they are better camouflaged on the tree trunks, allowing them to avoid being spotted and eaten by predators."
B. The variable in Kettlewell's experiment is the color of the moths. In one scenario, he placed light moths on dark tree trunks, and in the other scenario, he placed dark moths on dark tree trunks.
C. These results would uphold Kettlewell's hypothesis. If 30 out of 50 light moths were eaten on the dark tree trunks, it suggests that they were easier for predators to spot and capture. On the other hand, only 10 out of 50 dark moths being eaten indicates that their dark coloration provides them with better camouflage, making them less visible to predators on the dark tree trunks. Therefore, the outcome of the experiment supports the idea that moths that match the color of the tree trunks have an advantage in avoiding predation.