Question

choose 1 answer:
a the group of butterflies grown in red light had more access to nutrients, which caused them to produce brighter wing coloring than butterflies grown in blue light.
b different lighting conditions affected the butterflies gene expression patterns and their resulting wing color phenotypes.
c environmental conditions determined the genotypes of the butterflies in each group, causing one group to produce brighter wing coloring than the other.

Explanation:

• Option A: There's no indication that nutrient access differs due to red/blue light; this is an unsubstantiated claim.
• Option B: Lighting (an environmental factor) can affect gene expression, which in turn influences phenotypic traits like wing color. This aligns with biological principles of gene - environment interactions.
• Option C: Environmental conditions do not determine genotypes (genotypes are inherited); they can only influence phenotypes. So this statement is incorrect.

Answer:

B. Different lighting conditions affected the butterflies’ gene expression patterns and their resulting wing color phenotypes.