Question

Which of the following is not an advantage of apomixis?

• A. Assured reproduction in the absence of pollinators
• B. Maternal energy not wasted in unfit offspring
• C. Superior variety, once attained or selected, is fixed and maintained
• D. Superior ability to adapt to changing environments

Answer 1

The correct option is D Superior ability to adapt to changing environments

Apomixis may be defined as the process of development of diploid embryos without fertilisation.

Some of the advantages of apomixis are:

• Assured reproduction in the absence of pollinators, such as in extreme environments
• Maternal energy not wasted in unfit offspring (cost of meiosis)
• Some of the apomictic plants can avoid the male energy cost of producing pollen

Some of the disadvantages of apomixis are:

• Accumulation of harmful mutations may occur
• Lack ability to adapt to changing environments