Explain Natural Selection Quick Check

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Question
Consider the following scenario:

There are variations in the fur color of mice. Some mice have white fur. Some have dark fur. Foxes more easily catch mice with white fur.

What will likely be a consequence of this scenario?

(1 point)
Responses

Brown fur will become predominant.
Brown fur will become predominant.

White fur will become predominant.
White fur will become predominant.

Mice with white fur will be more likely to survive and reproduce.
Mice with white fur will be more likely to survive and reproduce.

Mice with brown fur will be less likely to pass on their genetic information.

The likely consequence of this scenario is that mice with white fur will be more likely to be caught by foxes and therefore less likely to survive and reproduce, while mice with brown fur will have a better chance of survival because they are better camouflaged. Over time, this will lead to brown fur becoming predominant in the population, and white fur becoming less common. This is an example of natural selection, which is the process by which organisms that are better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and pass on their genetic information to their offspring.

The likely consequence of this scenario is that mice with white fur will be more likely to survive and reproduce.

The likely consequence of the scenario described is that mice with white fur will be more likely to survive and reproduce. This is due to the fact that foxes more easily catch mice with white fur.

To arrive at this answer, we can apply the principles of natural selection. Natural selection is the process by which certain traits become more or less common in a population over time based on their impact on survival and reproduction. In this scenario, the trait of fur color is impacting the survival of the mice. Foxes are more easily catching mice with white fur, indicating that white fur is a disadvantageous trait in this context. Consequently, mice with white fur are more likely to be caught and killed by foxes, reducing their chances of surviving and reproducing.

On the other hand, mice with dark or brown fur have a higher chance of surviving because they are less easily caught by foxes. As a result, these mice are more likely to pass on their genetic information to the next generation. Over time, this selective advantage will lead to the brown fur trait becoming more predominant within the population, as mice with this trait have a higher chance of survival and reproduction.

Therefore, the likely consequence of this scenario is that mice with white fur will be at a disadvantage and less likely to survive and reproduce, while mice with brown fur will have a higher chance of passing on their genetic information.