- Exam
- NEET
- Subject
- Zoology
- Chapter
- Evolution
NEET · Zoology · Evolution
What does the change in moth populations before and after...
Options
- AThe impact of climate on moth coloration
- BThe effects of industrial pollution on natural selection
- CThe irrelevance of industrialization to evolutionary processes
- DThe role of genetic mutations in moth populations
Correct answer
B. The effects of industrial pollution on natural selection
Step-by-step solution
The change in moth populations demonstrates how industrial pollution affected natural selection, leading to an increase in dark-winged moths due to changes in their environment.During post- industrialisation period, the tree trunks became dark due to industrial smoke and soots. Under this condition the white-winged moth did not survive due to predators, dark-winged or melanised moth survived. Before industrialisation set in, thick growth of almost white-coloured lichen covered the trees - in that background the white winged moth survived but the dark-coloured moth were picked out by predators. Do you know that lichens can be used as industrial pollution indicators? They will not grow in areas that are polluted. Hence, moths that were able to camouflage themselves, i.e., hide in the background, survive. This understanding is supported by the fact that in areas where industrialisation did not occur e.g., in rural areas, the count of melanic moths was low. This showed that in a mixed population, those that can better-adapt, survive and increase in population size. Remember that no variant is completely wiped out