Question

Evolution by Natural Selection

After World War II the insecticide (bug Killer) DDT was used in large amounts to control
populations of insect pests induding disease-spreading mosquitoes. Scientists have since
discovered that some mosquitoes are resistant to DDT and other mosquitoes are not resistant
to DDTHI MOSQuitoes that are resistant to DDT can make an enzyme that breaks down DD into
a harmless chemical that does not kill them. Non-resistant mosquitoes do not produce this
enzyme and therefore are killed by DDT. In general, female mosquitoes can lay about 100
eggs every three days.
The graph below shows a population of mosquitoes on an island. The island was sprayed with
DOT over a period of several months. Measurements of the number of mosquitoes on the
island every 50 dej'resulted in the information shown on the graph below.
Use the 4 Principles of Natural Selection to explain the changes in the population of
mosquitoes over time
Your answer should
Name each Principle
Explain each Principle as it relates to the mosquito example
140 Points
Number of Mosquitoes on the Island
DDT Spraying Ends
Mosquito Population (in thousands)
DDT Spraying
Starts
50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550 600
Days
Entours

Answer 1

Hey! So here is what I've gathered for you in my research. Variation, Overproduction, Adaptation and descent with modification are the four principles that have enabled mosquitos to change in terms of population growth.

Step-by-step explanation:

Variation- Heritable differences that exist in every population are the basis for natural selection.

Overproduction- Competition between offspring for resources.

Adaptation- a trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce.

and finally..

Descent with Modification- Natural Selection will result in species with adaptation that are well suited for survival and reproduction

Put simply the earth is getting hotter and hotter and the warmer the temperatures are the more likely insects and pests are to bother you, as well as wet conditions, mosquitos will be reproducing in larger numbers than normal. The warming climate has also contributed to the discovery of tropical mosquito species in Canada, which produces diseases that were not previously present in the country.

Hope this helps bud!