Question

In the case of the peppered moth (Biston betularia) the black-coloured form became dominant over the light-coloured form in England during the industrial revolution. This is an example of?

• A. natural selection whereby the darker forms were selected
• B. inheritance of darker colour character acquired due to the darker environment
• C. protective mimicry
• D. appearance of the darker coloured individuals due to very poor sunlight

Answer 1

The correct option is A

natural selection whereby the darker forms were selected

The correct option is A.

Explanation for the correct option:

1. The black-coloured form become dominant over the light-coloured because due to the Industrial Revolution in England, the surrounding appeared darker.
2. Therefore, the darker forms were naturally selected for survival in that area, during that time.
3. Natural selection states that the organisms that are able to survive and reproduce with the changing environmental conditions are selected by nature while the ones that cannot survive are eliminated.
4. The genes responsible for the survival of an organism are passed on to successive generations.

Explanation of incorrect options:

Option B:

1. The given situation comes under the natural selection law.

Option C:

1. It states that when a species benefits from predation by mimicking the other non-beneficial species.
2. It also comes under the natural selection law.
3. This option is not correct as the dark-coloured form was not mimicked from any other species

Option D:

1. Sunlight is not a factor in the appearance of the darker-coloured individuals

Final answer: In the case of the peppered moth (Biston betularia) the black-coloured form became dominant over the light-coloured form in England during the industrial revolution. This is an example of natural selection whereby the darker forms were selected.