Question

An insecticide is a chemical that can rid a plant of insects that cause damage to the plant. If the same insecticide is used for many years, it is likely that it will no longer rid plants of insects. Which statement BEST explains why insects are no longer harmed by an insecticide that has been used on the same plants for many years? a. Over time, plants sprayed with an insecticide develop a resistance to it, which transfers to the insects when the insects eat the plants. b. Some insects are born with an ability to avoid harm from an insecticide, and they pass this ability to their offspring when they mate and reproduce. c. Some insects are born with an ability to avoid harm from an insecticide, and they pass this ability to other insects by coming into contact with them. d. Over time, plants sprayed with an insecticide develop a resistance to it, which transfers to the insects when the insects lay their eggs on the plants.

Answer 1

I believe that the correct answer is B; some insects are born with an ability to avoid harm from an insecticide, and they pass this ability to avoid harm from an insecticide, and they pass this ability to their offspring when they mate and reproduce. Insects with this ability have an advantage over insects without this ability; over many generations, more insects with this ability will survive to reproduce, and more insects without this ability will die before they can reproduce. In the long run most of the insects in the population will have the ability to avoid harm from the insecticide.