α-amanitin has influenced fruit fly evolution because it has contributed to the development of ______________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

α-amanitin is a toxin produced by certain species of mushrooms that is lethal to many animals, including fruit flies. However, some populations of fruit flies have evolved resistance to the toxin through mutations in their genes. This has given these populations a selective advantage in environments where the mushrooms are present, as they are better able to survive and reproduce in the presence of the toxin. As a result, over time, these populations have become more common and have contributed to the evolution of fruit flies as a species. This is an example of natural selection in action, where individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and pass on those traits to their offspring.

α-Amanitin Has Influenced Fruit Fly Evolution Because It Has Contributed