Use the example of antibiotic resistant bacteria to explain directional selection.

DNA mutations happen randomly during division by mitosis. Some of these mutations code for antibiotic resistance. When a bacterial colony is exposed to antibiotics most bacteria without the resistance mutation will die - the antibiotics are a selection pressure. As a result, the bacteria with antibiotic resistence have a higher chance of surviving and dividing to create offspring. Over many generations, antibiotic resistance mutation will become more and more frequent - this is directional selection.

VP
Answered by Vlad P. Biology tutor

20266 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

Explain how the proteins troponin, tropomyosin, actin and myosin regulate muscle contraction.


The allele y occurs with a frequency of 0.8 in a population of clams. Give the frequencies of the genotypes YY, Yy and yy.


Describe how DNA is well-adapted to being a molecule for conserved information storage


What causes the surface tension of water?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences