Question

select the correct answer.
a natural color mutation occurs in a species of red beetles, causing some of them to be green in color. these bugs exist in a grassland environment, and many species of birds eat them as food. what will most likely happen to the population of the bugs in the future?
a. half of the population of bugs will be red and the other half will be green.
b. all of the bugs will die off because of predator attacks.
c. most of the bugs will be green.
d. most of the bugs will be red.

Explanation:

This problem relates to natural selection. In a grassland environment, green bugs are camouflaged (less likely to be eaten by birds), so they survive and reproduce more. Red bugs are more visible to predators, so their numbers will decrease over time. Thus, most bugs will be green as the green - colored bugs (due to mutation) have a survival advantage and will pass on their genes. Option A is incorrect as mutation doesn't result in an equal 50 - 50 split by chance. Option B is incorrect because not all bugs will die; the green ones will survive. Option D is incorrect as red bugs are more likely to be preyed upon, so their numbers won't be the majority.

Answer:

C. Most of the bugs will be green.