Scenario
Malaria is an infectious disease caused by a unicellular eukaryotic organism belonging to the genus Plasmodium. These eukaryotic organisms are transmitted from one person to another by the female Anopheles mosquito when it feeds on human blood. Within humans, the Plasmodium species destroy red blood cells and, without effective treatment, serious infections can lead to death. Currently, more than 400 million people are afflicted with malaria and between 1 and 3 million people die from it each year. Historically, a chemical compound called quinine has been used in developing effective drugs against malaria. In its natural environment, quinine is produced by certain trees native to South America. This chemical is synthesized in the outer layer of tree trunks and acts as an herbivore deterrent.
-Despite being used for many years, quinine-based drugs have not led to the eradication of malaria and currently there are parasites that are resistant to the compound. What process was likely important in the development of this resistance to quinine?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Natural selection is the process where organisms with traits that confer resistance to quinine survive and reproduce, passing on these traits to future generations, leading to the development of resistance.

Scenario Malaria Is an Infectious Disease Caused by a Unicellular Eukaryotic