Question

The photograph below shows two color variations of Himalayan rabbits. In the winter, the rabbits resemble the one on the left. In the summer, the rabbits resemble the one on the right.

(THE PICTURE BELOW)
The changes in fur color are most likely due to______________.
Select one:
A. the sorting and recombination of genes
B. the molecular arrangement of sugars
C. a virus that affected genes in specific areas of the body
D. gene expression due to the differences in antibiotic conditions

Answer 1

D)gene expression due to the differences in antibiotic conditions

Answer 2

D. gene expression due to the differences in abiotic conditions

Step-by-step explanation:

Phenotype is the morphological expression of genotype. Besides the genes, a phenotype is also affected by environmental conditions such as water, light, food availability etc. Since the rabbit produces specific fur color in winter season only, the expression of the gene coding for fur color must be affected by environmental conditions present in winter season giving it a different phenotype from that of summer season.