Garlic contains a chemical called Allicin which has antimicrobial properties. Describe how this could have occurred through natural selection.

 Allicin has antimicrobial properties and can therefore protect garlic from fungal and bacterial infections and is coded for in the DNA of the garlic by an allele.

The presence could have been the result of widespread microbial infections that infect garlic plants in the past. The change in the environment would apply a selection pressure onto the garlic plant population, and the plants that had the advantageous allele for Allicin would survive, making them more likely to reproduce and pass on the allele to the future garlic plant generations. These plants would also reproduce, and overtime, the allele frequency for the advantageous Allicin allele would increase, until it was present across the entire garlic plant population. 

LC
Answered by Lorenzo C. Biology tutor

6624 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is the Hardy-Weiberg principle? How do I use the calculations? What are the limitations?


What is the Difference between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids?


John begins to exercise and his heart rate increases - explain how and why his heart rate increases


What are some key components within the cell surface membrane, and what are their functions?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning