biointeractive rock pocket mouse packet answers

Unraveling the Mystery Behind Rock Pocket Mouse Color Patterns

In the arid landscape of the American Southwest, a fascinating phenomenon has been observed among the rock pocket mouse population: the striking difference in coat color between black and tan individuals. While black mice are more abundant on dark lava flows, their tan counterparts thrive in areas with light-colored sand. But what drives these distinct patterns?

The answer lies in the amount, type, and distribution of melanin, a pigment molecule responsible for fur color. Scientists have a solid understanding of how individual mice acquire their coat colors, ranging from tan to black. However, the question remains: why do certain populations predominantly exhibit one color over the other?

To understand this phenomenon, researchers turned to the American Southwest, an ideal location for studying rock pocket mice with varying coat colors. By analyzing data from mouse populations, students can apply the Hardy-Weinberg equation, a mathematical principle that describes how genetic variation remains constant in the absence of disturbing factors.

In areas with dark rocky substrates, dark-colored mice have an advantage due to their increased camouflage against predators that hunt by sight. This 'disturbing factor' leads to an increase in allele frequency for the dark color. Conversely, in areas with sandy substrates, the frequency of light-colored mice increases, resulting in a higher allele frequency for this trait.

This activity provides a unique opportunity for students to explore population genetics and evolution using real-world data on rock pocket mouse color distribution. By quantifying changes in mouse coloration depending on their environment, students can develop an explanation for these fascinating patterns. The American Southwest's diverse landscape offers an ideal setting for studying the evolutionary adaptations of these remarkable creatures.

Source: BioInteractive Rock Pocket Mouse Packet Answers

Biointeractive rock pocket mouse packet answers