Question

With the help of any two suitable examples explain the effect of an anthropogenic action on organic evolution.

Answer 1

Effect of anthropogenic actions on organic evolution:
(i) Industrial melanism: It was due to smoke and soot coming out of man-made industries which caused a shift from white-winged moths on trees to dark winged or melanised moths. Prior to industrialisation white coloured lichens covered the bark of trees which was favourable for white-winged moths.

(ii) Use of herbicides and pesticides has resulted in the selection of resistant varieties in very short time scale. Also, the development of microbes resistant to antibiotics in a period of months is due to anthropogenic actions.