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NEET 2007
Exam
NEET
Year
2007
Subject
Zoology
Chapter
Evolution

NEET 2007 · Zoology · Evolution

Industrial melanism as observed in peppered moth proves that:

Industrial melanism as observed in peppered moth proves that:

Options

  1. Athe melanic form of the moth as no selective advantage over lighter form in industrial area.
  2. Bthe lighter-form moth has no selective advantage either in polluted industrial area or non-polluted area
  3. Cmelanism is a pollution-generated feature
  4. Dthe true black melanic forms arise by a recurring random

Correct answer

D. the true black melanic forms arise by a recurring random

Step-by-step solution

Industrial melanism is a term used to describe the evolutionary process in which darker individuals came to predominate over lighter individuals because of the Industrial Revolution. This occurred as a result of natural selection in which a black 'melanic' form arose by a recurring random mutation, but its phenotypic appearance had a strong selective advantage in industrial areas. Related Theory During the period when the number of coal burning factories in England was increasing (during the so-called Industrial Revolution) it was noticed that the number of melanic individuals of the species of Peppered Moth (Biston betularia) was becoming more common. Originally rare in the population of normally light-coloured moths, the frequency of the melanic form increased in polluted areas until it was over 90%90 \%. This change in colour has come to be known as "industrial melanism."
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