Question

Farmers spray pesticides on their plants to protect the plants from being eaten by insects. Some individual insects have a genetic mutation that makes them resistant to the toxins in the pesticides.

Which statement best describes how only a few resistant individuals resulted in the pesticide becoming ineffective?

A
The resistant insects change the toxin on the plants, making it safe for others.
B
The resistant insects grow larger and eat less of the plants.
C
The resistant insects eat the contaminated surface and leave the rest for others.
D
The resistant insects are able to survive to reproduce and create a population that is also resistant.

Answer 1

D

Resistant insects survive pesticide exposure and reproduce, so their resistant genes become more common in the population. Over generations the population becomes largely resistant, making the pesticide ineffective.