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Multiple Choice
If a new species of plant is to be produced by means of allopolyploidy from two parental species that are 2n = 4 and 2n = 8, how many chromosomes would you expect in the somatic cells of the new species?
A
6
B
24
C
48
D
None of the listed responses is correct.
E
12
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of allopolyploidy: Allopolyploidy occurs when two different species hybridize and the resulting hybrid undergoes chromosome doubling, leading to a new species with a combination of the parental chromosomes.
Identify the chromosome numbers of the parental species: The first species has a diploid number of chromosomes, 2n = 4, and the second species has a diploid number of chromosomes, 2n = 8.
Calculate the haploid number of chromosomes for each species: The haploid number (n) is half of the diploid number. For the first species, n = 2, and for the second species, n = 4.
Combine the haploid numbers from both species to form the hybrid: The hybrid will initially have the sum of the haploid numbers from both species, which is n = 2 + n = 4 = 6.
Double the chromosome number in the hybrid to achieve allopolyploidy: The hybrid undergoes chromosome doubling, resulting in a new species with 2n = 12 chromosomes in its somatic cells.