Question

a biology teacher asks students to give examples of genetic variations that support the idea that changes in a population’s environment affect genetic variation. which is the least supportive example? pesticide resistance in garden insects; changes in genetics in human populations; changes in the color of the peppered moth population in england; antibiotic resistance in bacteria populations

Explanation:

1. Analyze "pesticide resistance in garden insects": Pesticide use (environmental change) selects for insects with genetic resistance, so this supports the idea.
2. Analyze "changes in genetics in human populations": Human genetic changes are often due to non - environmental factors like random mutations, cultural/technological factors (not direct environmental pressure for most cases), or slow - acting environmental factors (e.g., long - term radiation) that are less direct than the other examples. It is less likely to be a clear example of environmental change affecting genetic variation compared to the others.
3. Analyze "changes in the color of the peppered moth population in England": Industrial pollution (environmental change) caused trees to darken, and moths with darker color (genetic variation) were selected, supporting the idea.
4. Analyze "antibiotic resistance in bacteria populations": Antibiotic use (environmental change) selects for bacteria with genetic resistance, supporting the idea.

Answer:

B. changes in genetics in human populations