A Gardener Is Constantly Struggling with the Growth of Weeds

question 37

Multiple Choice

A gardener is constantly struggling with the growth of weeds in his perennial flower beds. At the start of the growing season one year, he sprays an herbicide to reduce the number of weeds. Although the herbicide kills many of the weeds, some develop resistance to the herbicide and continue to grow and spread among his flowering plants. After a few years, the gardener decides to stop all herbicide applications. One of the changes that he notices is that the weeds that have resistance to herbicides grow much more slowly and are easily outcompeted by other weeds when no pesticides are sprayed (i.e., the herbicide-susceptible weeds produce more seeds and quickly overtake some of the areas in the garden where the herbicide-resistant weeds had been growing) . Within this community, which would be the fittest organisms?

• A) The weeds with herbicide resistance because they survive when herbicides are sprayed.
• B) The weeds without herbicide resistance because they are producing the most surviving offspring.
• C) Any organism that reproduces is considered fit in the evolutionary sense.
• D) If herbicide resistance arose due to a mutation, this species would be considered less fit.

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Definitions:

Retarded Fetal Growth

Slower than typical growth and development of a fetus during pregnancy, potentially leading to various health issues.

Premature Death

Dying earlier than the statistically expected age, often due to factors like disease or accidents.

Teratogenic Agents

Substances that can cause developmental malformations (birth defects) in an embryo or fetus when exposed during pregnancy.

Physiological State

The condition of the body at a given time, including its physical and chemical processes.