What is the significance of genetic variation within the population of moths during and after the industrial revolution in london?
Question: What is the significance of genetic variation within the population of moths during and after the industrial revolution in london?
The significance of genetic variation within the moth population during and after the Industrial Revolution in London is best exemplified by the case of the peppered moth (Biston betularia) and its adaptation to environmental changes.
During the Industrial Revolution
Before industrialization, the light-colored (peppered) moths were more common because they blended well with the lichen-covered trees, making them less visible to predators.
Due to increased coal burning, soot darkened trees and polluted the environment, leading to the decline of lichen.
This change created an advantage for dark-colored (melanic) moths, which were better camouflaged on the soot-covered trees, reducing their chances of being eaten by birds.
After the Industrial Revolution
As environmental regulations reduced pollution and tree surfaces returned to a lighter color, the light-colored moths regained their survival advantage.
Over time, natural selection led to a shift in population dynamics, with lighter moths becoming more common again.
Significance of Genetic Variation
Survival Advantage – Genetic diversity allowed some moths to better adapt to environmental changes, ensuring population survival.
Natural Selection Example – This phenomenon became a classic case in evolutionary biology, illustrating how genetic traits increase or decrease based on environmental conditions.
Indicator of Environmental Change – The shifts in moth coloration reflected broader pollution levels, highlighting the ecological impact of industrial activities.
This case remains one of the most cited examples of evolution in action, showing the importance of genetic variation in species survival and adaptation.
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