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In a certain small mammal, fur color is controlled by a pair of alleles, with B being dominant over b. The genotypes BB and Bb result in dark-colored fur, the genotype bb results in light-colored fur. A population of the species has the following allele frequencies: B=0.85 and b=0.15. If a fire caused the surface of the ground in the habitat of the species to become darker in color, which of the following claims about the impact on the allele frequencies in this population is most reasonable?

User Jonask
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Answer:

If a fire caused the surface of the ground in the habitat of the species to become darker in color, it is reasonable to expect that the allele frequency of the dominant B allele would increase relative to the recessive b allele. This is because individuals with the BB and Bb genotypes would have a higher chance of survival and reproduction in the new environment with darker ground, as their dark-colored fur would provide better camouflage.

The exact impact on the allele frequencies in the population would depend on the specific mechanisms of natural selection and genetic drift that are at play. However, it is reasonable to assume that the frequency of the B allele would increase over time as individuals with dark-colored fur are more likely to survive and pass on their genes to the next generation.

It is important to note that this is a simplified model and does not account for other factors that could affect the evolution of fur color in this population, such as gene flow, mutation, or non-random mating. Additionally, changes in allele frequencies do not always lead to changes in phenotype, as the expression of genes can be influenced by other factors such as epigenetics or environmental factors.

User Rhinosaurus
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