9. How Can We See Natural Selection in Our Daily Lives?
Natural selection happens all around us, often without us even realizing it! Here are some simple examples you can find in everyday life:
Peppered Moths: In certain industrial areas of England, there were light-colored moths. But when pollution from factories made the trees dark, those light-colored moths were easier for predators to spot. The darker moths blended in better with the soot-covered trees. Because of this, the dark moths survived longer and had more baby moths. This helped make dark coloring more common among moths.
Antibiotic Resistance: When we take antibiotics to fight infections, some bacteria can survive the treatment. These surviving bacteria can change and adapt. They then pass their resistant traits on to their babies. This is why we need to create new antibiotics!
Pesticide Resistance: Just like with antibiotics, when farmers use pesticides to kill pests, some of those bugs might survive and develop a resistance. Over time, these resistant pests can reproduce more often, making it harder for farmers to get rid of them.
These examples show us how natural selection changes the traits of living things based on their surroundings. It helps us see evolution happening right before our eyes!
9. How Can We See Natural Selection in Our Daily Lives?
Natural selection happens all around us, often without us even realizing it! Here are some simple examples you can find in everyday life:
Peppered Moths: In certain industrial areas of England, there were light-colored moths. But when pollution from factories made the trees dark, those light-colored moths were easier for predators to spot. The darker moths blended in better with the soot-covered trees. Because of this, the dark moths survived longer and had more baby moths. This helped make dark coloring more common among moths.
Antibiotic Resistance: When we take antibiotics to fight infections, some bacteria can survive the treatment. These surviving bacteria can change and adapt. They then pass their resistant traits on to their babies. This is why we need to create new antibiotics!
Pesticide Resistance: Just like with antibiotics, when farmers use pesticides to kill pests, some of those bugs might survive and develop a resistance. Over time, these resistant pests can reproduce more often, making it harder for farmers to get rid of them.
These examples show us how natural selection changes the traits of living things based on their surroundings. It helps us see evolution happening right before our eyes!