Explain how a mutation causing resistance to pyrethrins and pyrethroids would spread through a population of bed bugs that are being treated with the pesticide. A) In a population of bed bugs, variation exists. Some variation provides resistance to the pesticides. Those bed bugs survive to reproduce, passing the resistance on to offspring. Eliminate B) Mutations happen randomly to change the gene pool of a population. The mutations are favored when a population of organisms winds up in an environment in which the mutations happen to be useful. C) When a population of insects, like bed bugs, is subjected to pesticides, some of the bed bugs alter their genetic make-up and they are able to survive. They then pass the new genes on to offspring. D) In any population of organisms, sexual reproduction provides for variation in the gene pool. Such variation allows some insects to be resistant to pesticides. When sexual reproduction occurs again, the resistance is passed to offspring.

The explanation that best describes how a mutation causing resistance to pyrethrins and pyrethroids would spread through a population of bed bugs that are being treated with the pesticide is:

A) In a population of bed bugs, variation exists. Some variation provides resistance to the pesticides. Those bed bugs survive to reproduce, passing the resistance on to offspring.

This explanation aligns with the principles of natural selection and evolution. When bed bugs are exposed to pesticides such as pyrethrins and pyrethroids, there might be genetic variation within the bed bug population. Some bed bugs may possess mutations or genetic variations that confer resistance to the pesticide. These resistant bed bugs are more likely to survive the pesticide treatment, while those without the resistance are killed.

As a result, the surviving bed bugs that carry the genetic resistance to the pesticide will reproduce, passing on their resistant genes to their offspring. Over successive generations, the proportion of bed bugs with resistance to the pesticide increases in the population, as the resistant individuals are more likely to survive and pass on their advantageous traits to their offspring.

This process of natural selection driven by the advantage conferred by the resistant genetic variation leads to the gradual spread of the resistance trait throughout the bed bug population. Over time, the majority of the bed bug population may become resistant to the pesticide, making the pesticide less effective in controlling their population.