Home
Class 12
BIOLOGY
The evolutionary story of moths in Engla...

The evolutionary story of moths in England during industrialisation reveals, that ' evolution is apparently reversible '. Clarify this statement.

Text Solution

Verified by Experts

During the last century in the industrial regions of England, a light coloured peppered moth Biston betularia was found on the bark trees. The tree bark was covered by whitish lichens, so light coloured moths escaped unnoticed from predatory birds.
After industrialisation, barks got covered by smoke, so the white moths were selectively picked up by birds. However, the black coloured moths escaped unnoticed against a dark background and became abundant.
However, in recent year, reduced industrial pollution has led to the growth of lichens again and thus, the population of light coloured moths is again increasing.
This evolutionary story of moths in England, thus reveals, that 'evolution is apparently reversible'
Promotional Banner

Topper's Solved these Questions

  • ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

    NCERT EXEMPLAR|Exercise Environmental Issues|55 Videos
  • HUMAN HEALTH AND DISEASES

    NCERT EXEMPLAR|Exercise Human Health And Diseases|70 Videos

Similar Questions

Explore conceptually related problems

You have studied the story of peppered moths in England. Had the industries been removed, what impact could it have on the moth population ? Discuss.

Assertion :- In England, before industrialisation, it was observed that there were more white-winged moths on trees than dark-winged or melanised moths. Reason :- White winged moths can survive in non industrialised area.

a) How do the observations made duirng moth collection in pre- and postindustralized era in England support evolution by Natural Selection? b) Explain the phenomenon that is well represented by Darwin's finches other than natural selection.

A. The conditions primitive on earth (before the origin of life) were : low temperature, volcanic storms, reducing atmosphere containing Ch_(4),NH_(3) , etc. B. Cheetah and humans share similarities in the pattern of bones of forelimbs. C. In a collection of moths made in the 1850s i.e., before industrialization set in, it was observed that there were more dark-winged moths on trees than white-winged moths. D. Branching descent and natural selection are the two key concepts of Darwinian theory of evolution. E. The Neanderthal man with a brain size of 1400 cc lived in east and central Asia 25,000-10,000 years ago. Which set of given statements are correct ?

Given diagram illustrates an evolutionary tree. Which of the following statements can be deduced from the given evolutionary tree? (i) The ancestral eukaryotes were anaerobic. (ii) All eukaryotes were anaerobic. (ii) All eukaryotes possess mitochondria. (iii) Eubacteria and Eukaryota have a common ancestor whereas Archebacteria have a unique and independent origin. (iv) Mitochondria and chloroplasts have similar genomes. (v) Mitochondria are presents in plants, animals and fungi. (vi) chloroplasts and mitochondria arose asendosymbionts. (vii) Fungi and animals lost chloroplasts during evolution.

Read the following statements and select the correct option A. Increase in melanised moths after industrialisation in Great Britain is a proof for natural selection B. When more individuals of a population acquire a mean character value, it is called disruption C. Changes in allelic frequency in a population will lead to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium D. Genetic drift changes the existing gene or allelic frequency in future generations.

A study of white winged and melanised moths made in England before and after industrialisation in 1850 and 1920 respectively , supporting evolution by :

"Appearance of melanised moths post-industrialisation in England is a classic example of evolution by natural selection." Explain.

Taking an example of white-winged moths and dark-winged moths of England in per and post industrialised era, explain evolution by natural selection .

NCERT EXEMPLAR-EVOLUTION-Evolution
  1. Among Ramapithecus, Australopithecines and Homo habilis who probably d...

    Text Solution

    |

  2. Louis Pasteur's experiments, if you recall, proved that life can ar...

    Text Solution

    |

  3. The scientist believe that evolution is gradual. But extinction, part ...

    Text Solution

    |

  4. Why is nascent oxygen supposed to be toxic to aerobic life forms?

    Text Solution

    |

  5. While creation and presence of variation is directionless, natural sel...

    Text Solution

    |

  6. The evolutionary story of moths in England during industrialisation re...

    Text Solution

    |

  7. Comment on the statement that ' evolution and natural selection are en...

    Text Solution

    |

  8. State and explain any three factors affecting allele frequency in popu...

    Text Solution

    |

  9. Gene flow occurs through generations. Gene flow can occur across langu...

    Text Solution

    |

  10. How do you express the meaning of worlds like race, breed, cultivars o...

    Text Solution

    |

  11. When we say ' survival of the fittest ' , does it mean that (a) tho...

    Text Solution

    |

  12. Enumerate three most characteristic criteria for designating a Mendeli...

    Text Solution

    |

  13. Migration may enhance or blurr the effects of selection' comment.

    Text Solution

    |

  14. Name the law that states that the sum of allelic frequencies in a pop...

    Text Solution

    |

  15. Explain divergent evolution in detail. What is the driving force behin...

    Text Solution

    |

  16. You have studied the story of peppered moths in England. Had the indus...

    Text Solution

    |

  17. What are the key concepts in the evolution theory of Darwin?

    Text Solution

    |

  18. Two organisms occupying a particular geographical are ( say desert ) s...

    Text Solution

    |

  19. We are told that evolution is a continuing phenomenon for all living t...

    Text Solution

    |

  20. Had Darwin been aware of Mendel's work would be been able to explain t...

    Text Solution

    |