NEETZoologyEvolution
How does a change in the medium composition affect a colony of bacteria?
Options
- AIt causes the entire colony to die
- BIt causes all bacteria to adapt simultaneously
- CIt allows only the part of the population that can survive under new conditions to thrive
- DIt has no effect on the colony
Correct answer
C. It allows only the part of the population that can survive under new conditions to thrive
Step-by-step solution
The essence of Darwinian theory about evolution is natural selection. The rate of appearance of new forms is linked to the life cycle or the life span. Microbes that divide fast have the ability to multiply and become millions of individuals within hours. A colony of bacteria (say A) growing on a given medium has built-in variation in terms of ability to utilise a feed component. A change in the medium composition would bring out only that part of the population (say B) that can survive under the new conditions. In