Question

Appearance of antibiotic resistance gene in bacteria is an example of

• A. Adaptive radiation
• B. Convergent evolution
• C. Divergent evolution
• D. Pre-existing variation in the population

Answer 1

The correct option is D Pre-existing variation in the population

Substance that inhibits the growth and replication of bacteria or kills it outright is called an antibiotic. Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats in global health today. Antibiotic resistance occurs naturally, but misuse of antibiotics in humans and animals is accelerating the process. Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria change in response to the use of the antibiotics, it evolves the resistance factor in itself that can withstand the antibiotics. Certain pre-existing gene sequence gets mutated & modified and that variation in the sequence produces resistance factors that help in resisting the antibiotic, which is then passed on to the future generations.

Adaptive radiation or divergent evolution is the evolution of many species from a single common ancestor.

Convergent evolution is the process by which distantly located or unrelated organisms evolve similar body forms and evolve traits that are similar as an adaptive response to similar environmental pressures.