How is pesticide resistance an example of evolution?

Answer 1

Disinfectants are a type of antibiotic. Brand X kills 99.9% of all bacteria when used as directed. .1% of the bacteria survive.

Let us say that the treated area is 1 square foot and the original population one type of bacteria was 1 million. This means that 10,000 of these bacteria survived due to any various differences between them and the dead. The 10,000 divide every 24 hours so, in a very short time, the 1 square foot area is repopulated with bacteria that has the genetic potential to survive the next round of disinfectants. Not all of these offspring will. Over time our handy dandy disinfectant only kills 80% and the amount of bacteria is still enough to cause illness.

Extrapolate this scenario to the interior of the human body and the use of medications. Add the fact that many people DO NOT use them as directed any more than most people use a surface disinfectant as directed and we have a neat little breeding ground where natural selection occurs at an alarming rate.

Answer 2

Yes, pesticide resistance is an example of evolution.

Specifically, evolution can embrace a changed reaction to a changed environment. Pesticide use effects environmental changes through the injection of active ingredients to chase away, decrease the numbers of, or eliminate the presence of fauna and flora deemed to be unwanted, unwelcome irritants. Some pests succumb to pesticide treatments whereas others survive with stronger, tougher immune systems.

Answer 3

Those with the immune system that will resist stronger diseases will survive to pass their genes along due to superior genetics, the same applies to insects, the ones who can survive the pesticide will live to be able to spread their genes leaving the weak to die off.

Answer 4

Pesticide resistance is evolution because pests are adapting to pesticides to be able to resist their effects.