There are variations in the fur color of mice. Some mice have white fur. Some have dark fur. Foxes more easily catch mice with white fur.

Question

There are variations in the fur color of mice. Some mice have white fur. Some have dark fur. Foxes more easily catch mice with white fur.

What will likely be a consequence of this scenario?

(1 point)
Responses

Mice with brown fur will be less likely to pass on their genetic information.

Mice with white fur will be more likely to survive and reproduce.

Brown fur will become predominant.

White fur will become predominant

Answer 1

White fur may become less common in the population over time as it is more easily targeted by predators like foxes, leading to a higher survival and reproduction rate among mice with darker fur. As a result, the frequency of brown fur may increase, but it may not become completely predominant.

Answer 2

In this scenario, the consequence that is likely to occur is that mice with white fur will become predominant. This is because foxes can more easily catch mice with white fur, which means that these mice are more likely to be selected against and killed by predators. On the other hand, mice with brown fur are less likely to be caught by foxes and have a higher chance of survival. This gives them an advantage in terms of passing on their genetic information to the next generation. Over time, this selective pressure will result in the increase in the population of mice with brown fur, while the population of mice with white fur will decline. Therefore, the likely consequence is that white fur will become less common and brown fur will become more predominant among the mouse population.