Class 12 Biology Evolution: NCERT Solutions for Question 1

This page offers a step-by-step solution to the specific question NCERT Class 12th Biology - Evolution | explain antibiotic resistance observed in bacteria Answer from NCERT Class 12th Biology, Chapter Evolution.
Question 1

Explain antibiotic resistance observed in bacteria in light of Darwinian selection theory.

Answer

Darwinian selection theory states that individuals with favourable variations are better adapted than individuals with less favourable variation. It means that nature selects the individuals with useful variation as these individuals are better evolved to survive in the existing environment. An example of such selection is antibiotic resistance in bacteria. When bacterial population was grown on an agar plate containing antibiotic penicillin, the colonies that were sensitive to penicillin died, whereas one or few bacterial colonies that were resistant to penicillin survived. This is because these bacteria had undergone chance mutation, which resulted in the evolution of a gene that made them resistant to penicillin drug. Hence, the resistant bacteria multiplied quickly as compared to non-resistant (sensitive) bacteria, thereby increasing their number. Hence, the advantage of an individual over other helps in the struggle for existence.

Popular Questions of Class 12 Biology

Recently Viewed Questions of Class 12 Biology

6 Comment(s) on this Question

Write a Comment: