Module: | Pre-fertilization: Micro/Megasporogenesis
Q30: Consider the following statements regarding the mechanisms of apomixis:
1. Apomixis is a specialized form of asexual reproduction that successfully mimics sexual reproduction by producing seeds without fertilization.
2. This phenomenon is commonly observed in species belonging to the family Asteraceae and in various grasses.
3. Because apomixis involves meiosis and gamete fusion, the resulting progeny exhibit massive genetic variation compared to the maternal plant.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
2. This phenomenon is commonly observed in species belonging to the family Asteraceae and in various grasses.
3. Because apomixis involves meiosis and gamete fusion, the resulting progeny exhibit massive genetic variation compared to the maternal plant.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
✅ Correct Answer: A
The correct option is A. Statements 1 and 2 are correct, whereas Statement 3 is intrinsically contradictory.
Apomixis is a fascinating evolutionary bypass.
Structurally, the plant produces seeds, the hallmark of sexual reproduction, but does so without the fusion of male and female gametes (syngamy). It is prominent in the Asteraceae (sunflower family) and Poaceae (grasses). There are several ways this occurs, such as a diploid egg cell forming without meiotic reduction and developing directly into an embryo.
Because there is no meiosis to scramble alleles and no fertilization to introduce new DNA, Statement 3 is completely false.
The progeny of an apomictic plant are obligate genetic clones of the maternal parent.
Agriculturally, apomixis is highly researched as a method to indefinitely preserve desirable hybrid vigor in crop seeds without the cost of yearly hybrid seed production.
Apomixis is a fascinating evolutionary bypass.
Structurally, the plant produces seeds, the hallmark of sexual reproduction, but does so without the fusion of male and female gametes (syngamy). It is prominent in the Asteraceae (sunflower family) and Poaceae (grasses). There are several ways this occurs, such as a diploid egg cell forming without meiotic reduction and developing directly into an embryo.
Because there is no meiosis to scramble alleles and no fertilization to introduce new DNA, Statement 3 is completely false.
The progeny of an apomictic plant are obligate genetic clones of the maternal parent.
Agriculturally, apomixis is highly researched as a method to indefinitely preserve desirable hybrid vigor in crop seeds without the cost of yearly hybrid seed production.