In mice, fur color is a genetically determined trait. To observe the effects of natural selection on fur color in mice, scientists set up six enclosures with either light- or dark-colored sand on the ground. The enclosures were isolated from all ground predators and wild mice but accessible to predatory birds. The scientists placed equal numbers of light- and dark-colored mice into each enclosure. A total of 500 mice were used in the experiment. After several generations, the scientists sampled the mice and found that populations in the light sand enclosures were, on average, lighter in color than the original population, while those in the dark sand enclosures were, on average, darker in color than the mice in the original population.


a) describe the way the scientists will determine the evolutionary fitness of the mice in the experiment.


b) Identify the independent variable in the scientists’ experiment.


c) State the null hypothesis


d) The scientists claim that the changes in the frequency of fur color were the result of natural selection. Justify their prediction.

Respuesta :

The correct answers to these questions are the following:

1) By analyzing enclosures with different colors on the ground that can either favour or hinder the success of the populations.

2) Independent variable: number of generations.

3) Null hypothesis: different colors have no effect on the fitness of the populations.

4) It is a consequence of directional selection. Directional selection is a type of natural selection where the frequency of a trait is modified to benefit a phenotype in response to a change in the environmental conditions.

Natural selection is means by which the organism with better characteristics are preferred over the less favoured traits. In the experiment stated above the mice adapted to their surrounding environment and survived.

The following are the results and answers from the experiments:

a. The scientist will select the evolutionary fitness of the mice in the experimentation by monitoring the capability of the organism to persist and breed in varied situations.

The different chambers can be examined for the conclusion as they have various coloured backdrops.

b. Independent variables are the elements that do not get modified or influenced by other aspects or variables.

In this case, the independent variable is the number of generations.

c. According to the null hypothesis there is no connection between the two inhabitants based on distinct parameters.

It is further used by the researchers to continue or discontinue the experiment.

d. The organism having better traits prevails over the organism that does do not have valuable characters.

The differences in the frequency of fur colour were the result of directional selection which is a sort of natural selection.

In this type of choice, the trait commonness gets altered so that it can aid the organism to prevail in the changing environment.

To learn more about natural selection follow the link:

https://brainly.com/question/2725702

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