How is resistance inherited?

How is resistance inherited?

• A. Pests learn to avoid pesticides
• B. Resistance is acquired randomly during exposure
• C. Resistant individuals survive when we apply the pesticide and their offspring inherit the resistance
• D. Resistance is caused by environmental factors only

Answer: (C)

Pest resistance is genetic and spread through generations. Some individuals naturally carry traits that let them survive a pesticide spray. When the pesticide is applied, these resistant individuals live and go on to reproduce, passing the resistance genes to their offspring. Over time, the population has more individuals with the resistance trait, making the pesticide less effective. This is why the best description is that resistant individuals survive when we apply the pesticide and their offspring inherit the resistance. Learning or adapting during exposure doesn’t create heritable resistance, so learning to avoid pesticides isn’t the mechanism. Resistance isn’t acquired randomly during exposure, and environmental factors alone don’t explain how the trait becomes common in a population.

Pest resistance is genetic and spread through generations. Some individuals naturally carry traits that let them survive a pesticide spray. When the pesticide is applied, these resistant individuals live and go on to reproduce, passing the resistance genes to their offspring. Over time, the population has more individuals with the resistance trait, making the pesticide less effective. This is why the best description is that resistant individuals survive when we apply the pesticide and their offspring inherit the resistance.

Learning or adapting during exposure doesn’t create heritable resistance, so learning to avoid pesticides isn’t the mechanism. Resistance isn’t acquired randomly during exposure, and environmental factors alone don’t explain how the trait becomes common in a population.