3.1: Biodiversity And Evolution

Question 1

Example of evolution: Rabbits

Answer 1

Rabbits -> variation in fur color
Foxes -> predators -> selection pressure

White coat not good at camouflage ->
Predators more likely to see white rabbit when hunting ->
Rabbits with white fur less likely to survive ->
Brown fur selection advantage (more likely to survive + reproduce + pass on gene)

Over many generations frequency of gene for brown fur increase
Frequency for gene for white fur decrease

Question 2

Example of evolution: peppered moths

Answer 2

1. Variation in peppered moth population -> light moth > dark moth
2. Pollution lead to darker bark on trees -> change -> beneficial to dark moth (camouflage)
3. Light moths more likely to be eaten, less likely to reproduce
4. Dark moths more likely to survive and reproduce -> pass allele for dark phenotype
5. Over time -> gradual increase in proportion of dark moths -> dark moth > light moth