Permethrin is a man-made chemical that mimics naturally occurring
chemicals found within the Chrysanthemum flower. It impacts the
nervous system of insects, causing paralysis and death. Permethrin is
the main ingredient found in many tick repellents of dogs, such as K9
Advantix®
In a hypothetical population of deer ticks in eastern Massachusetts,
there are some ticks that, due to a genetic mutation, have formed a
resistance against the popular drug, Permethrin. How do these types of
mutations usually show up?