Quantrex Quantrex AcademyJEE · NEET · NDA PYQs with solutions Open app
MHT CET 202622 AprilEvening Shift
Exam
MHT CET
Year
2026
Date
22 April
Shift
Evening Shift
Subject
Biology
Chapter
Evolution

MHT CET 2026 · 22 April · Evening Shift · Biology · Evolution

Industrial melanism observed in different species of moths is an...

Industrial melanism observed in different species of moths is an example of ____.

Options

  1. Astabilizing selection
  2. Bdirectional selection
  3. Cecological isolation
  4. Dethological isolation

Correct answer

B. directional selection

Step-by-step solution

Industrial melanism is a classic example of directional selection.

Before industrialization, light-coloured moths were more prevalent because they were well-camouflaged against the lichen-covered tree trunks, protecting them from predators. However, during industrialization, pollution killed the lichens and darkened the tree trunks with soot. This environmental change favoured the dark-coloured (melanic) moths, which were now better camouflaged. As a result, the population shifted in one specific direction towards the darker phenotype.

This shift in the frequency of a trait in a consistent direction in response to environmental changes is the defining characteristic of directional selection.

Answer: directional selection
Practice Evolution on Quantrex Academy →

More from Evolution

Select the INCORRECT statement regarding stabilizing selection. MHT CET Medical 2026Similarity of bone structure in the forelimbs of many vertebrates is an example of… MHT CET Medical 2026Oldest theory of origin of life is __________. MHT CET Medical 2026Triticum aestivum , a hybrid formed by doubling of chromosomes, is an example of… MHT CET Medical 2026The industrial melanism phenomenon demonstrates __________ MHT CET Medical 2026Connecting link between Ape and Man is ________. MHT CET Medical 2026Which one of the following is NOT a vestigeal organ in Human being? MHT CET Medical 2026Which one of the following is NOT the feature of a primitive atmosphere of earth? MHT CET Medical 2026 Full Evolution list All MHT CET Medical PYQs