Question

8. Complete this table to analyze the evolution of dark fur color in rock pocket mice.

Answer these questions.	Describe the evidence for A, C and D.
A. How has mutation contributed to the evolution of dark fur color in rock pocket mice? (A mutation is a change in a DNA molecule.)	How did the researchers establish that a mutation had occurred?
B. How does natural selection affect individual mice? Does an individual mouse change its characteristics as a result of natural selection?	The video describes the effects of natural selection on individuals, but does not present any supporting evidence (probably because the supporting evidence is indirect and somewhat complex).

Answer 1

8.A. The mutation in the Mc1r - Melanocortin-1-receptor gene, which is responsible for the fur color in the rock pocket mice lead to the development of teh dark colored fur in these mice. Four mutations were observed in this gene of themice living on the dark lava. These mutations (to ensure survival) lead to greater production of melanin in these mice. The darker colored fur coat then produced secures them from predation.

B. An individual mice is not affected with the process of natural selection. Natural selection is a phenomenon which affects the entire populations over time. The individuals who are best adapted to their changing environment are selected while the others are eliminated.

An individual mice cannot change its characterstic as a result of natural selection. Rather the population of the mice with required suitable characteristics will increase over timw.

C. The researchers established that a mutation has occured by analysing the interaction of teh two proteins responsible for the distinction in melanogenesis in the mice.