Many weeds have become resistant to the herbicides that were once used to control them.Which of the following statements best explains this observation?
A) The weeds have evolved to become different species.
B) The herbicides have evolved and are no longer effective against the weeds.
C) Continental drift has caused the evolution of weed resistance in the herbicides.
D) Natural selection has acted on the genetic variability in the weeds' genomes, enabling plants that have herbicide resistance to reproduce more successfully.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The observation that weeds have become resistant to herbicides can be explained by the process of natural selection acting on the genetic variability in weeds' genomes, favoring plants that have herbicide resistance traits and allowing them to reproduce more successfully. This selection pressure over time can lead to the evolution of populations of weeds that are resistant to herbicides. The other options provided, including A) the evolution of different species or B) the evolution of herbicides, do not accurately explain the observed pattern of herbicide resistance in weeds. Continental drift, as described in C), is also not a relevant factor in this scenario.

Many Weeds Have Become Resistant to the Herbicides That Were