Explain how various disease agents (bacteria, viruses,
chemicals) can influence natural selection.
chemicals) can influence natural selection.
Pathogens can influence natural selection by weeding out the weaker ones. It's simple:
- Organisms with stronger immune systems are more likely to survive pathogens.
- More intelligent organisms will learn the causes of these diseases and learn to prevent them.
- Less intelligent organisms will not, and will die.
- Eventually, the species that builds up antibodies for this particular pathogen will thrive. Bacteria are also affected by Natural Selection. The bacteria that build up a resistance the antibiotics survive, and the ones that do not also die, just like in animals and plants.