Evolution in Present Times

Question 1

Why can the use of antibiotics and insecticides be risky?

Answer 1

• because populations of pathogenic organisms (e.g. bacteria and insects) can evolve quickly

Question 2

What enables populations of pathogenic organisms to evolve quickly?

Answer 2

• they have natural variation
• mutations often occur because the individuals breed very rapidly

Question 3

What happens in the process of evolution of pathogenic organisms?

Answer 3

• they can gain resistance to many chemicals that should kill them
• rendering the antibiotics or insecticides useless