1. A species of fox lives in the arctic where the ground is covered in white snow most of the year. These arctic foxes hunt rodents and other small mammals, while their predators include eagles, wolves, and polar bears. A mutation in its DNA causes a fox to have white fur rather than brown. Given this information, would you classify this mutation as harmful, beneficial, or neutral? Would this make the fox more or less likely to survive? Explain your answer.
The mutation of white fur in the arctic fox can be classified as beneficial. In an environment where the ground is covered in white snow, having white fur would provide the fox with better camouflage against predators like eagles, wolves, and polar bears. This would make it more difficult for predators to spot and catch the fox, increasing its chances of survival. Additionally, since the white fur would blend in with the surrounding snow, it would also improve the fox's ability to sneak up on and catch its prey, such as rodents and small mammals. Overall, this mutation would likely increase the fox's likelihood of survival in its arctic environment.
