Group and Mutation Time Taken to Collect Candy Time Taken to Eat Candy
A Extra long nails 1 minute 3 seconds 8 minutes 12 seconds
B No digits; hands paddle-like 15 seconds 7 minutes 18 seconds
C Normal 22 seconds 2 minutess 44 seconds
D Hands fused in front
of body; no range of motion Did not collect 15 pieces.
Collected 11 pieces Ate 11 pieces;
4 minutes 12 seconds
E Webbing on hands and feet 11 minutes 45 seconds 17 minutes 12 seconds
F No peripheral 3 minutes 2 seconds 2 minutes 52 seconds
G Blind Did not collect 15 pieces.
Collected 4 pieces in 4 minutes Ate only 4 pieces;
1 minute 16 seconds
H Short legs; normal number
of digits on hands and feet 55 seconds 3 minutes 2 seconds

Natural selection involves changes in the genetic makeup of a population over a period of time. The random change of DNA from parent to offspring, called mutations, can help produce variations in offspring. Some mutations can be helpful, while others can be harmful. In this experiment, students modeled random mutations. Data was collected to determine if the mutations were helpful or harmful when trying to collect and eat food.
Imagine climate change causes an increase in global temperature, polar ice melts, and sea levels on Earth rise. The organisms in this study live in a coastal marsh. Global warming has caused flooding and the once marshy habitat is underwater. Compare and contrast the traits of each group. Which group would most likely survive and reproduce in this new habitat?
A) Group A
B) Group B
C) Group E
D) Group H