Understanding DNA and Traits in Rock Pocket mouse populations

Why did the frequency of mice with specific traits change over time?

• Their DNA mutated to keep them from being eaten

• They received alleles for traits that increased their frequency

• Those with advantageous traits were more fit for their environment

• They hid in rock pockets

What role did natural selection play in the change in the number of mice with a specific fur color?

• Nothing - the number of mice with a specific fur color changed due to random chance

• Predators were more able to find those who were less fit

• Mice with a specific fur color migrated to areas that were more advantageous, natural selection was not involved

• The environment changed, making mutations regular and predictable

Which molecule carries genetic information from DNA to the cytoplasm?

• tRNA

• mRNA

• rRNA

• DNA

What is the role of alleles in the fur color of rock pocket mice?

• Alleles are mutated forms of a gene that cause mouse fur color to change

• They are the different forms of a gene from each parent passed from generation to generation

• Alleles allow mice to know when to hide from predators

• Alleles are the mRNA that codes for specific proteins

What is a substitution mutation?

• A base is lost

• A base is substituted for another

• An extra base is added

• A base is duplicated

What is the role of DNA in the survival of rock pocket mice?

• DNA provides the food source for mice on the volcanic rocks

• DNA mutates as the mice need in order to help them survive.

• DNA makes up the genes responsible for their fur color, which helps them blend in to their environment

• Mice change their DNA directly to make them more fit for their environment

What is the result of a missense mutation?

• Mutated DNA is transcribed to mRNA resulting in a different amino acid being translated and a different protein being made

• Mutated mRNA codes for the same amnio acid and no change is made in the protein being made

• All the amino acids are changed and a completely different protein is made

• Protein synthesis stops because the mutated DNA is transcribed to a mRNA corresponding to a STOP codon

What is the independent variable in the graph provided?

• Skin reflectance (%)

• Temperature

• Latitude

• Altitude

How does fitness relate to the pictures?

• Fitness strengthens the fur of the mice, determining how well they can fight off predators

• Fitness changes with changes in the environment, allowing mice with a different fur color become more prevalent under different conditions

• Fitness changes the environment, causing it to reflect the prevalent fur color

• Fitness is an abstract concept that is unrelated to survival or natural selection

At a UV radiation dose of 6 SED, which skin color synthesizes more Vitamin D?

• Dark skin color

• Light skin color

• Both synthesize equally

• Neither synthesizes Vitamin D