Question

In rock pocket mice, a mutation in the gene for fur color results in black fur instead of the brown fur found in mice without the mutation. This mutation causes the mice to be more visible in areas of scrub.
Which description best fits our understanding of how phenotypic mutations affect populations?

• A. The mice with the black fur mutation will be unlikely to survive and will disappear over time.
• B. The black fur mutation will probably become very common in areas of scrub.
• C. The black fur mutation might not be successful in scrub areas, but might be successful in areas with dark terrain.
• D. The black fur mutation will probably continue to appear at the same frequency in all environments.

Answer 1

The correct option is A The mice with the black fur mutation will be unlikely to survive and will disappear over time.

Darwin gave the theory of natural selection that stated that the organism that better survive in a given surrounding are selected over the weaker ones and will have more chances of passing down their genes to the future offsprings. In other words, they are selected over the weaker species by nature.

The mouse with black fur are more visible and will be more prone to attacks by predatores due to a darker colour and less camouflage whereas the mouse with the phenotype of brown colour will survive more. This would lead to an increase in the amount of mouse with brown colour as they survive and black ouse will disappear.

So, the correct option is 'The mice with the black fur mutation will be unlikely to survive and will disappear over time.'