Question

Read the sources given and answer any four from the questions given below:

Change in the population of peppered moth in England is an example of natural selection. Before the industrial revolution, the tree trunks were light coloured and covered by lichens. Light-coloured peppered moth, Biston betularia typica had the advantage as they camouflaged well with tree trunks. They escaped predation by birds. The population of light grey moths was about 95%. On the contrary black-coloured moths Biston betularia carbonaria were visible on light-coloured tree trunks and were easy prey for the birds. Hence their population was only about 5%. During industrial revolution, as coal was used in the industries, the tree trunks turned black with soot. As a result, the population of black moth increased as they camouflaged with black tree trunks and could be spotted by the predators. Simultaneously the population of light-coloured moth dwindled as they could be easily spotted and became an easy prey. Then as the industrial revolution progressed, coal was replaced by oil and electricity. It reduced the formation of black soot and the tree trunks became lighter again. It resulted in the increase in the population of lightcoloured moths again.

1. Which type of peppered moth were more prevalent before the industrial revolution?
   1. Biston carbonaria betularia
   2. Biston typica betularia
   3. Biston betularia carbonaria
   4. Biston betularia typica
2. Which of the following changes occurred during industrial revolution?
   1. Number of black-peppered moth diminished
   2. Number of predatory birds increased
   3. Number of white-peppered moth diminished
   4. Tree trunks turned greyish white
3. An important change that occurred as the industrial revolution progressed and coal was replaced by oil.
   1. tree trunks were covered by soot
   2. predators for peppered moth increased
   3. dark-peppered moth camouflaged with tree trunks
   4. increase in number oflight-peppered moth
4. What type of evolutionary phenomenon, does the change in population of peppered moth represent?
   1. artificial selection
   2. genetic drift
   3. natural selection
   4. mutation
5. What happened to the population of black and light grey peppered moths when industries started using oil as a fuel?
   1. 95% black and 5% grey moth
   2. 5% black and 95% grey moth
   3. 50% black and 50% grey moth
   4. 65% black and 45% grey moth

Answer 1

1. Biston betularia typica
2. Number of white-peppered moth diminished
3. increase in number oflight-peppered moth
4. natural selection
5. 5% black and 95% grey moth