Which level of description relates the amount of pigment produced to the color of the wings in butterflies?

• A. Molecular
• B. Cellular
• C. Organism
• D. Population

Answer: (C)

The correct answer relates to the organismal level of description because it is focused on how the genetic makeup of the individual butterfly leads to the observable trait, specifically the color of its wings. At this level, we consider how the genotype (the specific alleles or genes present) correlates with the phenotype (the physical characteristics, like wing color), which is influenced by the amount and type of pigment produced.

In this context, the production of pigments is a direct result of the biochemical processes happening in the organism, which contribute to the visual trait that can be observed. Understanding how the genetic information translates into physical traits is integral to the study of genetics at the organism level.

The molecular level would involve examining the specific genes or molecular pathways responsible for pigment production, while the cellular level would consider the processes occurring within individual cells, such as the synthesis and transport of pigments. The population level would look at trends or variations in color across a group of butterflies rather than focusing on the individual characteristics of a single organism. Therefore, the prominent focus on the relationship between pigment production and wing color is effectively captured at the organismal level.