NEET 2007 Biology question

Industrial melanism as observed in peppered moth proves that:

(1)Melanism is a pollution-generated feature
(2)The true black melanic forms arise by a recurring random mutationCorrect
(3)The melanic form of the moth has no selective advantage over lighter form in industrial area
(4)The lighter-form moth has no selective advantage either in polluted industrial area or non-polluted area.

Answer: (2)

Solution

In Biston betularia the dark (melanic, carbonaria) form arose through a recurring random mutation. In industrial areas, soot-darkened tree trunks made the light form conspicuous to predatory birds, so the melanic form had a selective advantage and increased in frequency (directional selection, Kettlewell's

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Question ID VK-089760