Genetic variation—the presence of a variety of possible alleles for a trait in a given population—is an indicator of a species’ ability to survive changes in its environment. Explain how this genetic variation in the peppered moths influenced the species’ chance of survival.

The black mutation allowed the species to survive the increasing pollution in its environment. The pollution caused the trees to be covered with soot. Black moths were more likely to survive in that environment. Without this mutation, peppered moths would have likely decreased in number when the environment changed.

Explanation: