Question

HELPPPP 20 PTS Imagine that one individual of a moth species has a random mutation causing it to be a lighter

color than the other members of the species. How might this mutation be harmful to the
individual? How might it be helpful? Could this mutation change the species? If so, how?

Answer 1

This is all based on the environment the moth is living in…
harmful effects: the mutation causing the moth of become a lighter color could lay a negative effect because it could cause the moth to be easily spotted by predators, meaning it will most likely to be killed or eaten first.

positive effect: in another case, this mutation can be helpful because the moth can blend in and be not as easily seen by predators.

how it can change the species: if this mutation is preferable, natural selection can take place. this means (if the positive effect is in play) the species will shift over and all become a lighter color due to the mutation being preferred.

Answer 2

The mutation could be harmful or helpful depending on the environment the moth is living in. Being a lighter color could either make the moth more camouflaged or stand out more amongst its environment.

This mutation could definitely change the species if the other moths find the mutation sexually appealing, the more the gene is bred into the species, the more prevalent it is.