# A population of Arctic foxes living in a snowy environment includes individuals with white fur and individuals with brown fur. Over many generations, the proportion of white-furred foxes in the population increases. Describe how natural selection results in this change in the population.

> Pearson Edexcel A-Level Biology A (9BI0) — 2.6 Adaptation and natural selection · Describe · 5 marks

> Arctic foxes live in snowy environments where they hunt prey and are also hunted by predators. A mutation can cause some foxes to be born with white fur instead of brown fur.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. There is variation in fur colour within the population (white and brown fur)
2. White fur provides camouflage in the snowy environment, so white-furred foxes are better adapted
3. White-furred foxes are less likely to be seen by predators (or are better hunters), so are more likely to survive
4. White-furred foxes are more likely to reproduce and pass on the allele/gene for white fur to offspring
5. Over many generations, the proportion of white-furred foxes in the population increases as more individuals inherit the advantageous allele

## Key terms

- [natural selection](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/natural-selection)

## Related

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-population-of-arctic-foxes-living-8f6f3ffd) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.