Question

Two plants can be conclusively said to belong to the same species if they:

• A. have more than 90% similar genes
• B. can produce freely with each other and form seeds
• C. look similar and possess identical secondary metabolite
• D. have same number of chromosomes

Answer 1

The correct option is B

can produce freely with each other and form seeds

The correct option is B.

Explanation of the correct option:

1. Species are simply defined as a group of organisms that resemble the most and reproduce among each other to produce fertile offspring.
2. They together share a lot of common characteristics and exchange genes with each other.
3. It is the lowest level of classification in taxonomy.

Explanations of the incorrect options:

Option A:

Organisms can have 90% similar genes which means those organisms are closely related but that does not mean they belong to the same species.

Option C:

Organisms that look similar are very closely related to each other, but possessing identical secondary metabolites does not mean organisms belong to the same species.

Option D:

All the organisms that have the same number of chromosomes do not belong to the same species.

Final answer: Two plants can be conclusively said to belong to the same species if they can reproduce freely with each other and produce fertile seeds.