Question

Anthropogenicaction can hasten the evolution.Explain with the help of a suitable example.

Answer 1

Anthropogenic actions refer to the activities that are caused by human beings. The human activities like excessive use of herbicides, pesticides has resulted in the evolution and selection of only resistant varieties of pests. Also the use of antibiotics against pathogens have resulted in the development of resistant varieties of pathogens. These changes or evolution of resistant varieties by human actions have occurred in short span of time and not in centuries. Thus, these anthropogenic activities have hasten the evolution.

For example, the use of DDT killed maximum number of mosquitoes first time but few of them survived due to development of variation. These mosquitoes reproduced successfully in presence of DDT and lead to the development of new resistant variety of mosquito population. Thus, led to the evolution of new organisms in short duration of time.

Hope this information will clear your doubts about the anthropogenic actions as cause of evolution.

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