Industrialization in England produced black soot that covered many tree trunks and branches. At the same time, the number of light colored moths in this part of the country decreased Why?
A. The soot killed only light colored
B.the light colored became extinct
C.The light colored showed up aganst the dark tree bark and could be easily seen by birds that fed on them
D.the light colored moths became isolated from other moths and speciation occurred
C?
Over time natural selection caused a change in the moth populations mentioned above. Which of the following most likely occured as the result of natural selection
A.all of the moths became light colored
B.the dark moths increased in number until most of this species in the area were dark.
C. the birds stopped eating moths and found a new food source
D. the mothes were unable to reproduce and became extinct
B?
Yes. Both answers are right.
For the first question, the correct answer is C. The light-colored moths showed up against the dark tree bark and could be easily seen by birds that fed on them.
To get to this answer, we need to understand the concept of natural selection. During the Industrial Revolution in England, the burning of fossil fuels from industrial activities created black soot that covered many tree trunks and branches. This resulted in a change in the environment, as the tree bark became dark in color. The light-colored moths that were previously well-camouflaged on the light-colored tree trunks became highly visible against the dark background. As a result, birds could easily spot and eat these moths, leading to a decrease in their population.
For the second question, the correct answer is B. The dark moths increased in number until most of this species in the area were dark.
To understand why, we need to consider the concept of natural selection again. In an environment where dark tree bark becomes dominant due to industrial pollution, the dark-colored moths have a higher chance of survival compared to the light-colored moths. With the increased visibility of light-colored moths, they become easier prey for birds, while the dark-colored moths, which are better camouflaged against the dark tree bark, have a higher survival rate. As a result, the dark moths will have a greater likelihood of passing on their genes, leading to an increase in the number of dark moths in the population over time.