TEAS 7 science practice questions Related

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After the Industrial Revolution, the population of peppered moths in England shifted towards more dark moths. This is an example of:

  • A. Artificial selection (selective breeding by humans for desired traits)
  • B. Natural selection acting on pre-existing variation
  • C. Punctuated equilibrium (rapid bursts of evolution)
  • D. Lamarckism (inheritance of acquired characteristics)
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The shift in the peppered moth population towards more dark moths in England after the Industrial Revolution exemplifies natural selection acting on pre-existing variation. Initially, light-colored moths were well-camouflaged against lichen-covered tree trunks, but with industrial pollution darkening the tree trunks, dark-colored moths gained a survival advantage. This change reflects how the environment favored dark moths over light ones, illustrating natural selection. The process illustrates how organisms with traits advantageous in a changing environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to the prevalence of those traits in the population over time. The choices of artificial selection (A), punctuated equilibrium (C), and Lamarckism (D) are not applicable in this scenario. Artificial selection involves intentional breeding by humans, punctuated equilibrium refers to rapid bursts of evolution followed by periods of stability, and Lamarckism suggests the inheritance of acquired characteristics, none of which align with the observed shift in moth populations based on environmental changes.