AP Biology Unit 7 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Which of the following best describes the processes occurring between the mouse populations and their environments?

Natural selection favors the mice with the light coat color, causing the mice in all of the populations to be better adapted.

Light color is selected for in mice from the West, Mid, and East populations.

Dark color is selected for in mice from the West, Mid, and East populations.

Natural selection favors the mice with the dark coat color, causing the mice in all of the populations to be better adapted. (correct)

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?

A light coat color reflects more light and therefore mice with light coats have a lower predation rate.

A dark coat color reflects less light and therefore mice with dark coats have a lower predation rate.

A dark coat color provides camouflage to mice on the lava flow rocks; therefore, mice with dark coats have a lower predation rate in that habitat. (correct)

At night, predators have reduced vision, so there is no relationship between coat color and predation rate on rock pocket mice.

Which of the following best describes the relationship between the MC1R gene and coat color in the Carrizozo rock pocket mouse population?

The MC1R allele is not responsible for dark coat color in the Carrizozo population, so the dark coat color is likely a result of convergent evolution. (correct)

The MC1R allele is responsible for dark coat color in the Carrizozo population and likely spread from the Arizona population through migration.

The MC1R allele is absent from the Carrizozo population, so all the mice in this population must have coats that are light in color.

The MC1R allele is absent from the Carrizozo population because of different environmental pressures in the Carrizozo population.

Which of the following best predicts the effect of the enclosure on the O'Neill population?

<p>The frequency of the MC1R allele will decline due to natural selection.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the MC1R gene in rock pocket mice?

<p>It is responsible for coat color variation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

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.

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.