Industrial melanism is and example of

Options

A. Drug resistance
B. Darkening of skin due to smoke from industries
C. Protective resemblance with the surroundings
D. Defensive adaptation of skin against ultraviolet radiations.

Answer

**Step-by-Step Text Solution:**

1. **Understanding Industrial Melanism**: Industrial melanism refers to the phenomenon where darker-colored individuals of a species become more prevalent in industrial areas due to pollution and changes in the environment.

2. **Historical Context**: Before the Industrial Revolution in England, light-colored moths were more common. They were better camouflaged against the light-colored tree trunks, which helped them avoid predation.

3. **Impact of Industrialization**: After the Industrial Revolution, soot and pollution from industries darkened the tree trunks. This change in the environment favored the survival of dark-colored moths, as they became less visible to predators.

4. **Natural Selection**: The increase in the population of dark-colored moths over light-colored moths is a classic example of natural selection. The dark moths had a survival advantage in the polluted environment, leading to their dominance.

5. **Evaluating the Options**:
- **Drug Resistance**: This is incorrect as industrial melanism does not involve drug resistance.
- **Darkening of Skin Due to Smoke**: This option is misleading; it refers to skin color in humans, not moths.
- **Protective Resemblance with Surroundings**: This is correct, as the dark moths blended in with the darkened tree trunks, providing them camouflage.
- **Defensive Adaptation Against UV Radiation**: This is incorrect as it does not relate to the concept of industrial melanism.

6. **Conclusion**: The correct answer to the question "Industrial melanism is an example of" is the third option, which is protective resemblance with the surroundings.

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