Question

How does population of peppered moth change during industrial revolution?

Answer 1

The population before the industrial revolution:

1. Before industrialization, trees were coated in a thick growth of practically white-colored lichen.
2. The white-winged moth survived in this environment, while predators picked out the dark-colored moths.

Population after the industrial revolution:

1. Due to industrial smoke and soots, tree trunks became dark during the post-industrialization period.
2. Due to predators, the white-winged moth did not survive in this environment, but the dark-winged or melanized moth did.

Role of Lichens:

Lichens can be used as markers of industrial pollution. Polluted regions will not support their growth. As a result, only moths that were able to blend in with the background survived.

Survival of moths

1. The fact that the number of melanic moths was low in locations where industrialization did not occur, such as rural areas, supports this theory.
2. This shows that in a mixed population, those that can adapt better survive and grow their numbers.