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**Title: Evolution of Dark Pocket Mice: Understanding Genetic Changes** **Introduction** In studying the evolutionary changes in populations, let's consider pocket mice, an example of a species that likely evolved from being light colored to darker hues. This adaptation is believed to have occurred recently in response to environmental pressures, especially in areas with dark lava flows. Understanding what factors led to this evolution can provide insights into the mechanisms of natural selection and evolution. **Multiple Choice Question:** It is likely that, ancestrally, pocket mice were light colored. The dark coloration evolved recently in populations on the young, dark lava flows. For the evolution of dark pocket mice to occur, there must have been ___________. - **A.** some individuals in the ancestral population that had mutations that made them darker than other individuals - **B.** a large population of dark pocket mice somewhere in the species range in the ancestral population - **C.** a mutation that turned all light colored mice into dark colored mice at once - **D.** a gradual darkening of light colored mice during their lifetime so that they could occupy the dark lava flow **Explanation:** - **Option A** suggests that mutations occurred in some individuals, leading to darker fur, providing a camouflage advantage in the dark lava environment. This is consistent with the concept of natural selection where advantageous traits increase survival and reproduction. - **Option B** proposes a pre-existing large dark population, which is less likely given the environmental conditions described. - **Option C** implies a sudden, simultaneous mutation in all members, which is biologically improbable due to the random nature of mutations. - **Option D** suggests an acquired characteristic during a single lifespan, which contradicts genetic inheritance principles, as traits are passed genetically rather than acquired. **Conclusion:** Understanding how species adapt to their environments can give us powerful insights into the processes driving evolution. In the case of the pocket mice, considering genetic mutations and natural selection offers the most plausible explanation for the observed evolutionary changes.

**Title: Evolution of Dark Pocket Mice: Understanding Genetic Changes** **Introduction** In studying the evolutionary changes in populations, let's consider pocket mice, an example of a species that likely evolved from being light colored to darker hues. This adaptation is believed to have occurred recently in response to environmental pressures, especially in areas with dark lava flows. Understanding what factors led to this evolution can provide insights into the mechanisms of natural selection and evolution. **Multiple Choice Question:** It is likely that, ancestrally, pocket mice were light colored. The dark coloration evolved recently in populations on the young, dark lava flows. For the evolution of dark pocket mice to occur, there must have been ___________. - **A.** some individuals in the ancestral population that had mutations that made them darker than other individuals - **B.** a large population of dark pocket mice somewhere in the species range in the ancestral population - **C.** a mutation that turned all light colored mice into dark colored mice at once - **D.** a gradual darkening of light colored mice during their lifetime so that they could occupy the dark lava flow **Explanation:** - **Option A** suggests that mutations occurred in some individuals, leading to darker fur, providing a camouflage advantage in the dark lava environment. This is consistent with the concept of natural selection where advantageous traits increase survival and reproduction. - **Option B** proposes a pre-existing large dark population, which is less likely given the environmental conditions described. - **Option C** implies a sudden, simultaneous mutation in all members, which is biologically improbable due to the random nature of mutations. - **Option D** suggests an acquired characteristic during a single lifespan, which contradicts genetic inheritance principles, as traits are passed genetically rather than acquired. **Conclusion:** Understanding how species adapt to their environments can give us powerful insights into the processes driving evolution. In the case of the pocket mice, considering genetic mutations and natural selection offers the most plausible explanation for the observed evolutionary changes.

Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
11th Edition
ISBN:9780134580999
Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Chapter1: The Human Body: An Orientation
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RQ: The correct sequence of levels forming the structural hierarchy is A. (a) organ, organ system,...
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**Title: Evolution of Dark Pocket Mice: Understanding Genetic Changes** **Introduction** In studying the evolutionary changes in populations, let's consider pocket mice, an example of a species that likely evolved from being light colored to darker hues. This adaptation is believed to have occurred recently in response to environmental pressures, especially in areas with dark lava flows. Understanding what factors led to this evolution can provide insights into the mechanisms of natural selection and evolution. **Multiple Choice Question:** It is likely that, ancestrally, pocket mice were light colored. The dark coloration evolved recently in populations on the young, dark lava flows. For the evolution of dark pocket mice to occur, there must have been ___________. - **A.** some individuals in the ancestral population that had mutations that made them darker than other individuals - **B.** a large population of dark pocket mice somewhere in the species range in the ancestral population - **C.** a mutation that turned all light colored mice into dark colored mice at once - **D.** a gradual darkening of light colored mice during their lifetime so that they could occupy the dark lava flow **Explanation:** - **Option A** suggests that mutations occurred in some individuals, leading to darker fur, providing a camouflage advantage in the dark lava environment. This is consistent with the concept of natural selection where advantageous traits increase survival and reproduction. - **Option B** proposes a pre-existing large dark population, which is less likely given the environmental conditions described. - **Option C** implies a sudden, simultaneous mutation in all members, which is biologically improbable due to the random nature of mutations. - **Option D** suggests an acquired characteristic during a single lifespan, which contradicts genetic inheritance principles, as traits are passed genetically rather than acquired. **Conclusion:** Understanding how species adapt to their environments can give us powerful insights into the processes driving evolution. In the case of the pocket mice, considering genetic mutations and natural selection offers the most plausible explanation for the observed evolutionary changes.
Transcribed Image Text:**Title: Evolution of Dark Pocket Mice: Understanding Genetic Changes** **Introduction** In studying the evolutionary changes in populations, let's consider pocket mice, an example of a species that likely evolved from being light colored to darker hues. This adaptation is believed to have occurred recently in response to environmental pressures, especially in areas with dark lava flows. Understanding what factors led to this evolution can provide insights into the mechanisms of natural selection and evolution. **Multiple Choice Question:** It is likely that, ancestrally, pocket mice were light colored. The dark coloration evolved recently in populations on the young, dark lava flows. For the evolution of dark pocket mice to occur, there must have been ___________. - **A.** some individuals in the ancestral population that had mutations that made them darker than other individuals - **B.** a large population of dark pocket mice somewhere in the species range in the ancestral population - **C.** a mutation that turned all light colored mice into dark colored mice at once - **D.** a gradual darkening of light colored mice during their lifetime so that they could occupy the dark lava flow **Explanation:** - **Option A** suggests that mutations occurred in some individuals, leading to darker fur, providing a camouflage advantage in the dark lava environment. This is consistent with the concept of natural selection where advantageous traits increase survival and reproduction. - **Option B** proposes a pre-existing large dark population, which is less likely given the environmental conditions described. - **Option C** implies a sudden, simultaneous mutation in all members, which is biologically improbable due to the random nature of mutations. - **Option D** suggests an acquired characteristic during a single lifespan, which contradicts genetic inheritance principles, as traits are passed genetically rather than acquired. **Conclusion:** Understanding how species adapt to their environments can give us powerful insights into the processes driving evolution. In the case of the pocket mice, considering genetic mutations and natural selection offers the most plausible explanation for the observed evolutionary changes.
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