Question

The Indian gray mongoose (Herpestes edwardsii) is a small mammal that is known for its ability to kill venomous king cobras (Ophiophagus hannah). Mongooses have evolved acetylcholine receptors that make them resistant or immune to the cobra's venom. What is likely responsible for this?

1) coevolution
2) natural selection
3) structural defenses
4) chemical defenses

Answer 1

The Indian gray mongoose's resistance to king cobra venom is due to coevolution and natural selection, which are forms of chemical defense that have allowed the mongoose to evolve acetylcholine receptors resistant to the cobra's venom.The correct answer is option 1.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Indian gray mongoose's resistance to cobra venom is likely the result of coevolution and natural selection. The mongoose and the king cobra have likely been locked in an evolutionary arms race, where each species adapts over generations in response to the survival challenges imposed by the other.

In this case, the mongoose evolved modifications in its acetylcholine receptors, making them less sensitive to the cobra's venom. This is a form of chemical defense, where the mongoose's internal biology is modified to neutralize the threat posed by the venom.

The correct option to this question is (1) coevolution, as this term refers to the process of two or more species influencing each other's evolution.