The sticky monkey flower, Mimulus aurantiacus, is a flowering shrub that grows in a variety of climates. The flowers of each plant can be either red or yellow. These colors attract different pollinators to aid in reproduction: hummingbirds primarily feed from red flowers, while hawkmoths only feed from yellow flowers. Image courtesy of M. Strisfield et al 2013. PLOS Genetics Lionsed under CC BY 4.0 Red flowers contain a red pigment called anthocyanin, while yellow flowers lack this pigment. Researchers have identified a gene involved in the production of anthocyanin. The allele R of this gene allows flowers to produce anthocyanin, while the allele Y prevents anthocyanin production. The table below compares the frequency of the RR (red), RY (partially red) and YY (yellow) genotypes in a population of monkey flowers in a certain region over 5 years. Year & }(c) RR Frequency & RY Frequency & YY Frequency 1 & 0.81 & 0.12 & 0.07 3 & 0.85 & 0.09 & 0.06 5 & 0.91 & 0.05 & 0.04 In year 6, the population of hawkmoths in the region increased. As a result, is the diversity of coloration in this population of monkey flowers likely to increase over time? A. No, because the population lacks the genetic variation needed to allow the frequency of yellow flowers to increase. B. No, because there is little color variation in the population and the hawkmoths will further increase the ability of red flowers to reproduce. C. Yes, because the hawkmoths will promote mutations in anthocyanin genes so new colors will appear in the population. D. Yes, because there is genetic variation in the population and the hawkmoths will increase the ability of yellow flowers to reproduce.

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The sticky monkey flower, Mimulus aurantiacus, is a flowering shrub that grows in a variety of climates. The flowers of each plant can be either red or yellow. These colors attract different pollinators to aid in reproduction: hummingbirds primarily feed from red flowers, while hawkmoths only feed from yellow flowers. Image courtesy of M. Strisfield et al 2013. PLOS Genetics Lionsed under CC BY 4.0 Red flowers contain a red pigment called anthocyanin, while yellow flowers lack this pigment. Researchers have identified a gene involved in the production of anthocyanin. The allele R of this gene allows flowers to produce anthocyanin, while the allele Y prevents anthocyanin production. The table below compares the frequency of the RR (red), RY (partially red) and YY (yellow) genotypes in a population of monkey flowers in a certain region over 5 years. Year & }(c) RR Frequency & RY Frequency & YY Frequency 1 & 0.81 & 0.12 & 0.07 3 & 0.85 & 0.09 & 0.06 5 & 0.91 & 0.05 & 0.04 In year 6, the population of hawkmoths in the region increased. As a result, is the diversity of coloration in this population of monkey flowers likely to increase over time? A. No, because the population lacks the genetic variation needed to allow the frequency of yellow flowers to increase. B. No, because there is little color variation in the population and the hawkmoths will further increase the ability of red flowers to reproduce. C. Yes, because the hawkmoths will promote mutations in anthocyanin genes so new colors will appear in the population. D. Yes, because there is genetic variation in the population and the hawkmoths will increase the ability of yellow flowers to reproduce.

Answer 1

#ExplanationThe question is about the effect of an increase in the population of hawkmoths on the diversity of coloration in a population of monkey flowers. The hawkmoths are known to feed only from yellow flowers, which are produced by the

genotype. The table shows that the frequency of the

genotype is the lowest among the three genotypes, but it is present in the population. The increase in the population of hawkmoths would increase the pollination of yellow flowers, which would in turn increase the frequency of the

genotype in the population over time. This is because the hawkmoths would be transferring pollen from yellow flowers to other flowers, increasing the chances of producing offspring with the

genotype. This would increase the diversity of coloration in the population, as there would be more yellow flowers. The population does have the genetic variation needed for this to occur, as the

genotype is present, albeit at a low frequency. Option A is incorrect because the population does have the genetic variation needed for the frequency of yellow flowers to increase. Option B is incorrect because the increase in the population of hawkmoths would increase the ability of yellow flowers to reproduce, not red flowers. Option C is incorrect because the question does not provide any information to suggest that the hawkmoths would promote mutations in anthocyanin genes.#AnswerD. Yes, because there is genetic variation in the population and the hawkmottis will increase the ability of yellow flowers to reproduce.

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