Question

A team led by evolutionary biologist Hopi Hoekstra set out to test the hypothesis that predators are an agent of natural selection on mouse color. They made 250 plasticine models of mice that were alike in every way except that half were painted white and half were painted brown. Complete a paragraph about two advantages and one disadvantage of using model mice instead of real mice in this experiment.

Answer 1

One advantage of models is that all the mice are exactly alike except for color, enabling the control of all variables except the one being studied. Models are also easier to work with than live mice. One disadvantage of using models is that they do not have the same smell and behaviors as real mice.

Another advantage is that models can be reused for the experiment for a longer period of time with less maintenance.