Questions and Answers
What will most likely occur to the moth populations in the image below?
The light moths will be captured by predators more easily than the dark moths, and the population of dark moths will rise.
What is the most likely explanation of the data shown below?
The moths are living in an environment with dark trees.
How do these results demonstrate natural selection?
The moths that were the same color as their background were more likely to survive and reproduce.
What do you expect to happen to the populations of the green and the yellow insects over time?
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What is the most likely consequence for predator populations if the proportion of light moths increases to nearly 100%?
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Study Notes
Moth Population Dynamics and Natural Selection
- Light moths are more visible to predators on dark trees, leading to higher predation rates and a decrease in their population.
- Dark moths have better camouflage and are less likely to be captured, resulting in an increase in their population due to higher survival and reproduction rates.
Environmental Influence on Survival
- The presence of dark trees offers camouflage advantages to dark moths, which allows them to thrive and explains the decline of light moths.
- Natural selection favors traits that enhance survival in specific environments, demonstrating the link between coloration and predation.
Evidence of Natural Selection in Population Graphs
- Population graphs show an increase in moths that match their background color and a decrease in those that do not.
- Well-camouflaged moths have a survival advantage, which leads to increased reproduction and a shift in population dynamics over time.
Effects of Camouflage on Insect Populations
- In a green rainforest environment, green insects will tend to survive better compared to yellow insects due to natural camouflage.
- Over time, the population of green insects is expected to rise, while yellow insects will experience a decline due to higher predation.
Impact of Natural Selection on Predator Populations
- An increase in well-camouflaged moths makes it more challenging for birds to catch them, potentially leading to a decrease in bird survival rates.
- Birds that survive may develop better hunting adaptations, such as sharper vision or alternative feeding strategies, to cope with the scarcity of easily caught moths.
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Description
Test your knowledge on natural selection with these flashcards. Explore the concepts of population dynamics and predator-prey relationships using the example of moth populations. Ideal for biology students looking to reinforce their understanding of key principles.
