Pesticide Resistance Mutations

Definition

These are changes in pests' genetic material that allow them to survive exposure to pesticides that would normally kill them.

Analogy

It's like having a special suit that protects you from paintballs. If someone shoots paintballs at you (like pesticides attacking pests), they wouldn't affect you because your suit (the resistance mutation) protects you.

Related terms

Resistance Gene: A gene that provides an organism with the ability to withstand a harmful substance or condition, such as a pesticide.

Cross-Resistance: The development of resistance to one pesticide can sometimes lead to resistance against other related pesticides. It's like if your paintball-proof suit also made you immune to water guns and nerf darts.

Co-evolution: The process where two or more species influence each other's evolution. For example, as we develop new pesticides, pests evolve new resistances, which in turn drives us to develop even newer pesticides.