Question

The organism studied for industrial melanism was a
A. Butterfly
B. Moth
C. Honeybee
D. Cockroach

Answer 1

Hint: Natural selection is affected by external conditions as organisms develop variable characteristics to survive in different circumstances. For example, industrial melanism is an example of natural selection.

Complete step-by-step answer:
Industrial melanism illustrates the impact of industrial pollution on the population of moths on a nearby tree. Before industrialization, the number of the white coloured moths is considerably more than the dark coloured moth on a tree whose situation is reversed after industrialisation. Before industrialisation, light coloured moss was used to grow on trees and that is why the moth predators could not spot white moths with ease hence dark moths are lesser in population. But because of industrial pollution, lichens could not grow on trees and now it became hard to spot dark moths on the dark background of stem bark thus the population of white moths has become less than that of dark moths. Thus, this process is defined as industrial melanism. Thus, industrial melanism supported Darwin’s theory of natural selection that as natural conditions change, the organism which is more fit for the environment survives better than the other. Here before industrialisation, white moths are better suited to nature but after industrialization, dark-coloured moths were more suitable for changed ambient conditions.

Therefore the correct answer is option B.

Note: Industrial melanism was initially examined in the U.K all over the time of the industrial revolution. Before the industrial revolution, the peppered moth species which were pale grey were more frequently seen. It enabled them to escape from their natural predators such as birds by blending in with their environment. In contrast, melanic or dark-coloured moths were rare.