Questions and Answers
Which of the following best describes the processes occurring between the mouse populations and their environments?
Which of the following best explains the relationship between coat color and predation rate in the rock pocket mouse population on the lava flow rocks?
Which of the following best describes the relationship between the MC1R gene and coat color in the Carrizozo rock pocket mouse population?
Which of the following best predicts the effect of the enclosure on the O'Neill population?
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What is the significance of the MC1R gene in rock pocket mice?
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Study Notes
Natural Selection and Adaptation
- Dark coat color mice are favored by natural selection, leading to better adaptation across populations.
- The process highlights how environmental pressures can shape phenotypic traits in species.
Predation Dynamics
- Nocturnal owls, as primary predators of rock pocket mice, effectively differentiate coat colors in low-light settings.
- Dark-colored mice on lava flow rocks gain camouflage advantage, resulting in lower predation rates compared to light-colored mice.
Genetic Insights
- The MC1R gene contributes significantly to coat color in the rock pocket mouse population in Carrizozo, New Mexico.
- The MC1RD allele is identified as responsible for dark coat color and is believed to have migrated from the Arizona population.
Impact of Isolation
- An enclosure set up for the O'Neill population prevents migration, predicting a potential reduction in genetic diversity due to the bottleneck effect.
- Genetic drift may lead to fixation of specific alleles, such as MC1R, as natural selection pressure changes.
Research Context
- A long-term study examines coat color variation among rock pocket mice in Arizona and New Mexico, with focus on habitat colors ranging from light granite to dark lava rocks.
- Researchers collected data from multiple sites, linking coat color phenotypes with specific environmental contexts.
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Description
Test your knowledge of natural selection and adaptation in mouse populations with these flashcards from AP Biology Unit 7. Explore how different traits are favored in varying environments and assess your understanding of evolutionary processes.