Put all the candies used in Problem 40 into a single mound and then divide them into four equal piles, this time being sure that the frequency of each color is the same in each pile. Label two of these piles 'male' and the other two 'female.' Half of the group will take one male and one female pile, and the other half of the group will take the other two piles. Each half of the group will carry out its own experiments: Explain any observed differences in frequencies in terms of the evolutionary mechanism the results best emulate.

Key Concepts

Genetic Variation

Genetic variation refers to the differences in DNA sequences among individuals within a population. This variation is crucial for evolution, as it provides the raw material for natural selection to act upon. In the context of the question, the different frequencies of candy colors can represent genetic traits, and understanding how these traits are distributed in the piles is essential for analyzing evolutionary outcomes.

Natural Selection

Natural selection is a fundamental evolutionary mechanism where individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce. In the experiment described, the differences in frequencies of candy colors in the male and female piles may lead to varying survival rates of certain traits, mimicking how natural selection operates in nature. This concept helps explain how certain traits become more common in a population over time.

Genetic Drift

Genetic drift is a random evolutionary mechanism that causes allele frequencies to change over time due to chance events, particularly in small populations. In the context of the experiment, if the selection of male and female piles is random, it may lead to differences in the frequencies of candy colors, illustrating how genetic drift can impact the genetic makeup of a population, especially when sampling is not representative.