Can a habitat change which inherited colors become common? Follow a population through predation and reproduction, one generation at a time.
Illustrative simulation imagery
Learning target
I can use population data to explain how differential survival and reproduction can change the frequency of an inherited trait.
I know I am successful when…
I track at least five generations, compare color frequencies, and explain the pattern without saying individuals chose to change color.
Your investigation
Predict which inherited color will be favored in the green habitat.
Run a predation round, inspect the survivors, then produce the next generation. Repeat for five generations.
Reset to the same seed and initial population, choose a brown habitat, and compare a second experiment. Download each report before resetting.
Optional: change the habitat between generations. Explain why a color lost entirely from this model cannot return without a source of new variation.
Vocabulary: inherited variation = differences passed to offspring; frequency = how common a trait is; selection = differences in survival and reproduction associated with traits.
Observe survival, then reproduction
The seed takes effect when you reset. Begin with 36 beetles: 12 of each color. Habitat color can be changed between generations.
Completed generation 0Latest survivors —
Graph lines: green = green beetles; brown = brown beetles; slate = gray beetles. Exact counts are available in the table.
Your population data
Each row after generation 0 records the new 36-offspring population. “Survivors” refers to the preceding predation round.
Generation
Habitat used
Survivors
Green
Brown
Gray
Explain what your data show
Use your recorded results to connect a claim to evidence and a scientific explanation.
Your work stays in this tab. Download your report before leaving or reloading.
Model example, assumptions & science background
Model of a clear explanation: “The inherited color that matched the habitat became more frequent across my generations. The table shows ___ of 36 at generation 0 and ___ of 36 at generation 5. Better camouflage increased survival chances in this model, and survivors passed their color to offspring.” A single run can vary by chance.
This simplified asexual model assigns a survival probability of 0.80 to the matching color and 0.25 to other colors. These are chosen model rules, not measured species rates. Each offspring copies one randomly sampled survivor’s color; the next population is restored to 36. There is no mutation, migration, sexual inheritance, or additional fitness trade-off. Chance affects every round. If all individuals die, reproduction cannot occur. The model stops after 20 completed generations. Habitat change alone does not create a new inherited color.
