Many years ago, head lice was easily treated with pyrethrum based pesticides. Pyrethrums are commonly found in products such as Rid that can be purchased at local markets. They are currently the top choice for lice infestations. Pyrethrums are especially useful to us because they generally have a stronger effect on bugs than on humans and animals.

Some head lice had mutations in their genetic code which allowed them to survive the chemical pesticide and they produced chemically resistant offspring. How can this be explained?

Question 26 options:

Random mutations happen and those with a pesticide resistant mutation survived to reproduce.

Head lice chose other bugs to partner with who had no mutations.

Mutations were planned out by the bugs.

Head lice chose other bugs to partner with who had the pesticide resistant mutation.