In a population of mice, individuals with medium brown fur are less likely to be seen by predators than light brown and dark brown mice. What type of selection is this, and what would the distribution curve for the mouse population look like? (1 point)

Question

In a population of mice, individuals with medium brown fur are less likely to be seen by predators than light brown and dark brown mice. What type of selection is this, and what would the distribution curve for the mouse population look like? (1 point)

• stabilizing; two peaks at either end of the graph with a dip in the middle
• stabilizing; a tall, narrow peak in the center of the graph
• disruptive; two peaks at either end of the graph with a dip in the middle
• disruptive; a tall, narrow peak in the center of the graph

Answer 1

The correct answer is: stabilizing; a tall, narrow peak in the center of the graph.

Stabilizing selection occurs when individuals with the intermediate trait are favored over individuals with extreme traits. In this case, mice with medium brown fur have a survival advantage over both light brown and dark brown mice. As a result, the distribution curve for the mouse population would have a tall, narrow peak in the center, indicating a high frequency of individuals with medium brown fur.