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Multiple Choice
A botanist had an apple tree in his yard that produced eight different varieties of apple. How was this tree most likely produced?
A
Repeated selection of seedlings with desirable qualities
B
Inducing mutations in the young seedling
C
Cross-pollination of several varieties
D
None of the listed responses is correct.
E
Grafting scions of different varieties onto the same root stock
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of grafting: Grafting is a horticultural technique where tissues from one plant are inserted into those of another so that the two sets of vascular tissues may join together. This is commonly used to propagate trees with desirable traits.
Recognize the purpose of grafting: In the context of apple trees, grafting allows a single tree to produce multiple varieties of apples by attaching branches (scions) from different apple varieties onto a single rootstock.
Differentiate grafting from other methods: Unlike cross-pollination, which involves breeding different varieties to produce a new hybrid, grafting does not change the genetic makeup of the scions. Each grafted branch retains the characteristics of its original variety.
Consider why other options are less likely: Repeated selection of seedlings and inducing mutations are methods that involve genetic changes and would not result in a single tree producing multiple distinct varieties.
Conclude that grafting is the most likely method: Given the scenario of a single tree producing eight different apple varieties, grafting is the most plausible explanation as it allows for the coexistence of multiple varieties on one tree without genetic alteration.