Name__Cameron R. Lindsay_____________      Due: F Sept.

 20 2019

Assignment 3
Evolution PCB 4674 — Fall 2019
Answer Sheet for Natural Selection with EvoDots

Instructions
This file lists all the questions from the Instructions to make it easier to find and answer the questions. 
Enter your answers directly in the spaces provided (that is, click on the space to the right of “Answer:” 
and type your answer). These questions are indicated below by numbers in parentheses, although they 
may be worded slightly differently. When you are done, print out this file and turn in the print copy by 
the due date.  

Simulation of Selection
1) Make a prediction about how the population of dots will evolve, if at all, in
response to predation, and explain your reasoning. Consider in particular the
distribution of one or more traits.
Answer:  The slower the dots, the easier it is the prey on them. The black, green, blue and purple dots 
seem to be the slower, so after predation, the population will decrease in the frequency of black, 
green, blue and purple dots. There will also be an increase in the frequency of the faster dots, like the 
orange and red dots.

2) Has the frequency distribution of colors changed? Describe how.

Answer:  The frequency distribution of the colors has changed. There is a higher frequency of the 
faster, orange, yellow, and red dots, a lower frequency in the slower, green, blue and purple dots, and 
there are no black dots left.

(3) Has the distribution of colors changed from the previous generation and or further
from the starting population? Describe how.
Answer:  the distribution of colors has changed since the previous generation. In this generation, there
are only red, yellow, and orange dots.

4) Was the prediction you made above in (1) correct? Why or why not? Explain.
Answer:  The prediction that there will be an increase in the frequency of the faster dots is correct, but
the instead of a lower frequency of slower dots, there is no frequency of slower dots.

5) How many generations does it take for your population of dots to reach a point at
which it can no longer evolve?
Answer:  After the 4th generation, the population can no longer evolve, with only red and orange dots 
left

6) Explain why the population can no longer evolve at that point.

Answer:  The population is no longer able to evolve because the red and orange dots are fast enough, 
and similar enough in color, that it is hard to prey on a specific color, so both colored dots are able to 
survive

Variation
7) Do you think the population of dots would evolve if there were no variation in the
starting population? Write down a prediction and explain your reasoning.
Answer:  If there is no variation in a population, there is no evolution. This is because the lack of 
variation limits the adaptability of a population, which prevents the population from evolving. 

8) Describe how the population evolved. Was your prediction correct?

Answer:  the population remained the same each generation. This agrees with the prediction. That if 
there is no genetic variation, there is no evolution

Inheritance
9) Do you think the population of dots would evolve if speed were not heritable?
Write down a prediction and explain your reasoning.
Answer:  If speed were not heritable, the population will evolve based on which individual dot is 
slow. This means evolution will occur, but it is based on the speed of each individual dot

10) Why might a trait like color or speed not be heritable? Explain one possible
mechanism.
Answer:  The trait of color or speed might not be heritable because those traits can be developed over 
time, based on the individual’s adaptability to an environment.

11) Describe how the population of dots evolved.

Answer:  Each generation, there is a random frequency of each colored dot

12) Did the population evolve the same way it does when speed is heritable?
Was your prediction correct? Explain.
Answer:  This is different from when speed in heritable, because the 

More offspring produced than can survive

13) Describe how the frequency of the colors changed from the starting population.
How much did the population evolve?
Answer:  The frequency distribution stayed exactly the same. The population did not evolve at all.

Selection
14) If you were to eat the dots at random, instead of selectively, do you think
the population would still evolve? If so, in what way? Write down a prediction
and explain your reasoning.
Answer:  If the probability of catching each dot is equal, then there will be no evolution. Genetic 
variation is important of a species to evolve, but if each dot has the dame chance of getting caught, 
there is no way for one type of dot to survive over another.

15) Did the population of dots evolve? If so, did it evolve in the same way it does
when survival is selective?
Answer:  the population distribution did change, but not the same way as when catching dots were 
selective.

16) Was your prediction correct? Why or why did it not match your prediction?
Answer:  The hypothesis that evolution will occur is wrong. Random predation does lead to 
evolution, but it is harder to keep track of that evolution, because the distribution keeps changing
Reflect on your results
17) After they were born, did the individual dots ever change their speed or color? If
the individuals didn’t change, how was it possible for the population to change?
Answer:  The population was able to evolve based on some dots being able to survive long enough to 
reproduce, and for other dots not being able to survive, and not making it to reproduce.

18) What role did the predators play in causing the population of dots to evolve? Did
it create a need for the dots to change? Or did it simply determine which dots
survived to reproduce and which didn’t?
Answer:  The predator determines which dots survived, and which didn’t. The predator establishes 
that being faster is a trait that is beneficial to the survival of the individuals of a population. The 
predator also weeds out the individuals who are not fit to survive because of their lack of speed.