Hunter's Observation on Termites Survival Rates

What did Hunter observe about the survival rates of the termites after spraying insecticide?

Hunter found some termites in a wooden board sitting in his backyard, so he sprayed some insecticide on the board to kill the termites. Hunter noticed that about 95% of the termites died, but 5% survived.

Answer

The living termites had genes that the dead termites did not have.

When Hunter sprayed insecticide on the termites in the wooden board, he observed that 95% of the termites died, but 5% survived. This scenario can be explained by the concept of genetic variation within a population.

Genetic variation refers to differences in the genetic makeup of individuals within a population. In this case, the surviving termites likely possessed genetic traits that made them resistant to the insecticide used by Hunter. These traits could have been inherited from their ancestors or developed through mutations.

It is important to note that genetic variation plays a crucial role in the survival of species. When faced with environmental changes or challenges such as the application of insecticide, individuals with advantageous genetic traits are more likely to survive and pass on their genes to the next generation.

In conclusion, the 5% of termites that survived Hunter's insecticide spray did so because they had genetic traits that made them resistant. This observation highlights the significance of genetic diversity in ensuring the long-term survival and adaptation of species.