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Question #46543
The Question
During the industrial revolution, the melanic variant of Biston betularia became abundant due to directional selection for cryptic camouflage against soot-covered trees. However, the soot contained high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which act as potent chemical carcinogens. If this population exhibits a severe decline in reproductive fitness despite successfully evading avian predators, which of the following statements is INCORRECT regarding its evolutionary dynamics?
Options
- A.
The population is experiencing an evolutionary trade-off between ecological survival and physiological mutation load.
- B.
The PAHs in the soot induced targeted germline mutations for melanism, ensuring the population's adaptation to the polluted environment.
- C.
The activation of cellular oncogenes (c-onc) by chemical mutagens contributes to the reduced fecundity of the surviving moths.
- D.
The initial increase in the melanic moth population was due to the selection of pre-existing advantageous alleles, not environment-induced mutations.
Check Your Answer
Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Evolutionary_Exception
Tackle problems where standard rules evolve or change based on specific environmental constraints.
Concepts Behind This Question
Oncogenes vs Proto-oncogenes|Industrial Melanism|Natural Selection Directionality
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
The 'Conceptual Pivot' is distinguishing between the agent of selection (predators/camouflage) and the cause of mutation (random errors/mutagens).
Students often fall for the Lamarckian trap (Option B), assuming that because pollution caused the environmental change, it directly induced the beneficial mutation.
This question synthesizes Evolution (Industrial Melanism) with Human Health and Disease (Carcinogens/Oncogenes) to test the concept of Evolutionary Trade-offs.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Human Health and Disease - Class 12 |
| Concept | Oncogenes vs Proto-oncogenes |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |