Question

In a long-term study of a population of a self-pollinated plant, it was observed that an allele, which significantly enhanced vegetative growth and production of flowers in the plant, did not expand in distribuation over subsequent generations in the population. This could be because the allele is

• A. Dominant lethal in nature
• B. Tightly linked to a gene that allows formation to large number of seeds in each plant
• C. Linked to a gene that suppresses development of axillary branches
• D. Tightly linked to a gene that suppresses development of pollen mother cells in the plant

Answer 1

The correct option is D Tightly linked to a gene that suppresses development of pollen mother cells in the plant

In the case of self pollinated plants, the self pollen pollinates on the stigma. The allele involved in the production of pollen affects the progeny plants in the subsequent generations. The allele for the formation of pollen from pollen mother cells and the allele for vegetative growth and production of flowers are tightly linked. So, when the plants did not show enhanced growth and flowering, it can be said that this gene also suppresses development of pollen mother cells which will thereby affect the distribution in the next generations.

Thus, the correct answer is option D.