Juan H.

10/18/21

BIO 112

Lab Report

To preface, we had only found Halloween edition skittles, therefore our colors were

light/dark green, light/dark orange, and brown skittles. There were 10 of each color used initially.

Candy corn used was standard corn. Prior to doing this activity, I assumed already that the

orange skittled would be harder for the eye to catch, therefore allowing for their population to

rapidly increase. Following this, I also predicted that the skittles that were green shades would

stand out more and get easily picked.

When we began, the first trial had my friend picking out two of each green shades, and

one of each orange, as well as a single brown skittle. Right off the bat the green skittles are

getting seen much easier. Upon the second trial, six light greens and 3 dark greens got picked.

Only one of each green skittle was found that round. Six dark greens were found in the third

round, and only one light green this time. During the fourth and fifth round, 14 dark and 14 light

greens were found and picked. All while only one of each orange shade were found.

Surprisingly, only four brown skittles were found in those two rounds as well. Just as

hypothesized, the orange population far outnumbered the greens and browns. For the orange

shades, a total of 250 light and 262 dark remained. For the green shades, 116 light and 148 dark

remained. Lastly, the brown skittles had an end total of 238. Just like our experiment showed us,

both Darwin’s natural selection theory, and Kettlewell’s experiment were both proven true.

Natural selection, camouflage from the predator allows for greater survival, and exponential
population growth. My results reflected an outcome that was to be expected; moreover, that the

“harder to be seen” skittles would amass rapidly, while the visible skittles were preyed upon with

ease.