Question

Explain how antibiotic resistance in bacteria provides evidence that supports Darwin’s theory of evolution

Answer 1

Answer and Explanation:

Some pathogens and pests usually survive and reproduce even when they are exposed to the antibiotics and pesticides repeatedly. These instances show that within the population soe individuals possess the gene for resistance or acquire it through mutation hence survives the chemical. Those that survive transmit this characteristic to their offsprings thus establishing a new population of resistant forms.

Answer 2

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria provides evidence that supports Darwin’s theory of evolution.

Explanation:

Darwin’s theory of evolution mentions about the theory of natural selection by which the nature selects the fittest individuals. It is always the survival of the fittest that takes place in any ecosystem. If there is an external pressure or threat , the organisms that have evolved to overcome this only gets the chance of survival.

Antibiotic resistance that some bacteria show is an example of natural selection. In the initial periods many bacteria would have died out due to the action of antibiotics. In the process of evolution a mutation might have occurred that confers the bacteria resistance to antibiotics.

The process of natural selection allows the bacteria with this mutation offering antibiotic resistance to survive. Since this is a mutation ensuring survival the mutant gene would have been passed over generation producing a species of antibiotic resistant bacteria.