An experiment is performed with peppered moths. the table below shows the populations of light-colored moths and dark-colored moths before and after the trees turned black. which is the best hypothesis for why the white-colored moth population decreased? a. the light-colored moths mutated. b. the light-colored moths could not reproduce. c. the dark-colored moths were more fit. d. the white-colored moths adapted to being darker.

The answer is C. The dark moths were best fit for their environment, since the trees in England were darker due to pollution. The dark moths could best blend into the trees, so birds couldn’t spot them. The white moth population decreased dramatically because they could not blend in with the trees, so they were spotted easier and were thus more vulnerable to predation. This illustrates Darwin’s concept of survival of the fittest. The organisms best fit for the environment live because they have traits and adaptations that enable them to survive. The organisms that do not have these traits, however, will not survive. Since the fit organisms live, they can reproduce and pass on their fitness to their offspring. That’s what makes a species stronger and less vulnerable in their environment. This leads to evolution.