Can an organism be resistant to a chemical that it has never been exposed to?
A) Yes, genes for pesticide resistance can be transferred through vectors such as viruses
B) Yes, pesticide resistance does not require chemical exposure and eventually all organisms become resistant
C) Yes, the pesticide treadmill causes pesticide resistance
D) No, there is probably some exposure that we are not aware of
E) No, it is not possible for an organism be resistant to a chemical that it has never been exposed to

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Genes for pesticide resistance can indeed be transferred through vectors such as viruses, bacteria, or plasmids, allowing organisms to possess resistance to chemicals they have not been directly exposed to. This is a mechanism of horizontal gene transfer.

Can an Organism Be Resistant to a Chemical That It