What characterizes pesticide resistance in certain individuals?

Pesticide resistance is characterized by certain individuals developing traits or mechanisms that enable them to survive exposure to pesticides that would normally be lethal. Resistance arises due to genetic variations in populations, wherein individuals that have a slight advantage in surviving pesticide application are more likely to reproduce and pass on those advantageous traits to their offspring. Over time, these resistant individuals become more common in the population, making it increasingly difficult for the pesticide to control the pest population effectively.

This development of resistance can involve various physiological changes, including alterations in the target site of the pesticide, enhanced metabolic detoxification enzymes, or behavioral changes that reduce the likelihood of exposure to the pesticide. As a consequence, the overall effectiveness of pesticide applications can diminish, leading to challenges in pest management strategies.

In contrast, the other choices do not accurately reflect the nature of pesticide resistance. For example, becoming more susceptible over time contradicts the very definition of resistance, which implies an increased survival rate against a specific pesticide. Growing slower than non-resistant individuals does not relate to resistance itself and could instead pertain to other ecological factors unrelated to pesticide exposure. Finally, avoiding contact with pesticides entirely would not constitute resistance, as it does not involve any inherent biological adaptation to survive chemical exposure. Therefore, the correct characterization of