Evolution in Action

What is the Valley of Fire known for?

• Golden deserts

• Volcanic eruptions

• Cacti and brush

• Black rock

Why does the light-colored fur of the rock pocket mouse make it stand out on dark lava?

• It attracts predators

• It blends in with the sand

• It provides camouflage

• It reflects sunlight

Which predators eat the rock pocket mice?

• Foxes and coyotes

• Rattlesnakes and owls

• Hawks and snakes

• Cacti and brush

What drives the change in color of the pocket mice over evolutionary time?

• Mutation

• Natural selection

• Genetic variation

• Environmental factors

What is the genetic basis for the dark coloration in the pocket mice?

• Mc1r gene

• Light-colored fur gene

• Predator avoidance gene

• Mutation gene

How long does it take for a new mutation to spread and turn the whole population of mice black?

• 100 years

• 500 years

• 1,000 years

• 10,000 years

What is the advantage of having dark fur on a dark background?

• Better camouflage

• Increased speed

• Enhanced vision

• Stronger defense

What is the role of natural selection in the evolution of the pocket mice?

• Randomly selects traits

• Determines genetic mutations

• Sorts winners and losers

• Causes genetic variation

What is the main difference between the black mice on different lava flows?

• Genetic mutations

• Physical appearance

• Predator avoidance

• Habitat preference

What does the example of rock pocket mice teach us about evolution?

• Evolution is a random process

• Evolution only occurs in specific environments

• Evolution can repeat itself

• Evolution is driven by genetic mutations