Question

a group of mice used to include many mice with spotted fur and a few with solid fur. then, the habitat changed from sunny to shady. a student predicted that natural selection should result in a population that has more solid mice than spotted mice. students explanation: mice with solid fur will be more difficult to see in the shady habitat, so fewer predators will find them. this means that more solid mice will pass their fur - color trait to the next generation. change in fur color trait in mouse population

number of generations after the habitat changed	ratio of spotted fur to solid fur
10	7:3
20	1:1
30	1:3

why does the evidence in the table support the students explanation? select the two statements that apply.
a. the ratio increased over time.
b. the ratio decreased over time.
c. the ratio increased and then decreased over time.
d. more solid mice than spotted mice survived in the first ten generations after the habitat changed.
e. gradually, a higher proportion of solid mice than spotted mice survived after the habitat changed.

Explanation:

The initial ratio of spotted fur to solid fur is 4:1. As generations pass (from 0 to 30), the ratio changes to 7:3, then 1:1, and finally 1:3. This shows that the ratio of spotted - fur to solid - fur mice is decreasing over time, which means a higher proportion of solid - fur mice are surviving.

Answer:

B. The ratio decreased over time.
E. Gradually, a higher proportion of solid mice than spotted mice survived after the habitat changed.