Question

Which example illustrates Darwin's main contribution to the theory of evolution? A. An agricultural pest has been exposed to a pesticide that wipes out the entire species. B. In a laboratory, a scientist chooses the most intelligent mice and breeds them to advance the species. C. When exposed to antibiotics, most bacteria in a population die but some survive and live to reproduce. D. In the African savannah, a scientist observes that a wildebeest calf has inherited its coat pattern from its father.

Answer 1

Answer:

C. When exposed to antibiotics, most bacteria in a population die but some survive and live to reproduce.

Explanation:

Darwin suggested natural selection as the mechanism that explained the evolution of species. This idea states that a population of individuals living in a certain environment is adapted to thrive in it. However, if there is a change in the environment, individuals must adapt in order to survive, otherwise they will die. Only a handful of individuals which had a particular (and random) variation before the change of the envirnonment will be able to adapt and survive. If the variation is heritable, the next generation will have that same trait and will be able to thrive in the new environment.

In the answer C., a population of bacteria is composed of some individuals which are susceptible to the antibiotic and some individuals that are resistand because they possess a mutation in their DNA that allows them to survive an environment with antibiotics. If no antibiotic is present, then both types of bacteria can survive. However, if they are exposed to the antibiotic, the previously resistant bacteria are the only ones that will be able to survive and reproduce.

Answer 2

"When exposed to antibiotics, most bacteria in a population die but some survive and live to reproduce" is the one example that illustrates Darwin's main contribution to the theory of evolution. The correct option among all the options that are given in the question is the third option or option "C". I hope it helps you.