Textbook Question
Which of the following does not occur during embryogenesis?
a. Formation of the radial axis
b. Production of the suspensor
c. Formation of the cotyledons and hypocotyl
d. Formation of the leaf lateral and proximal–distal axes
Ch. 38 - Flowering Plant Reproduction and Development
Freeman8th EditionBiological ScienceISBN: 9780138276263
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 - Biology: The Study of Life13
- Ch. 2 - Water and Carbon: The Chemical Basis of Life14
- Ch.3 - Protein Structure and Function10
- Ch.4 - Nucleic Acids and the RNA World10
- Ch. 5 - An Introduction to Carbohydrates10
- Ch. 6 - Lipids, Membranes, and the First Cells11
- Ch. 7 - Inside the Cell10
- Ch. 8 - Energy and Enzymes: An Introduction to Metabolism10
- Ch. 9 - Cellular Respiration and Fermentation11
- Ch. 10 - Photosynthesis12
- Ch. 11 - Cell-Cell Interactions12
- Ch. 12 - The Cell Cycle8
- Ch. 13 - Meiosis12
- Ch. 14 - Mendel and the Gene23
- Ch. 15 - DNA and the Gene: Synthesis and Repair15
- Ch. 16 - How Genes Work16
- Ch. 17 - Transcription, RNA Processing, and Translation16
- Ch. 18 - Control of Gene Expression in Bacteria16
- Ch. 19 - Control of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes12
- Ch. 20 - The Molecular Revolution: Biotechnology, Genomics, and New Frontiers15
- Ch. 21 - Genes, Development, and Evolution12
- Ch. 22 - Evolution by Natural Selection16
- Ch. 23 - Evolutionary Processes13
- Ch. 24 - Speciation15
- Ch. 25 - Phylogenies and the History of Life13
- Ch. 26 - Bacteria and Archaea15
- Ch. 27 - Diversification of Eukaryotes16
- Ch. 28 - Green Algae and Land Plants16
- Ch. 29 - Fungi18
- Ch. 30 - An Introduction to Animals9
- Ch. 31 - Protostome Animals15
- Ch. 32 - Deuterostome Animals17
- Ch. 33 - Viruses16
- Ch. 34 - Plant Form and Function16
- Ch. 35 - Water and Sugar Transport in Plants16
- Ch. 36 - Plant Nutrition13
- Ch. 37 - Plant Sensory Systems, Signals, and Responses16
- Ch. 38 - Flowering Plant Reproduction and Development16
- Ch. 39 - Animal Form and Function17
- Ch. 40 - Water and Electrolyte Balance in Animals16
- Ch. 41 - Animal Nutrition16
- Ch. 42 - Gas Exchange and Circulation16
- Ch. 43 - Animal Nervous Systems16
- Ch. 44 - Animal Sensory Systems16
- Ch. 45 - Animal Movement11
- Ch. 46 - Chemical Signals in Animals16
- Ch. 47 - Animal Reproduction and Development16
- Ch. 48 - The Immune System in Animals16
- Ch. 49 - An Introduction to Ecology15
- Ch. 50 - Behavioral Ecology16
- Ch. 51 - Population Ecology16
- Ch. 52 - Community Ecology20
- Ch. 53 - Ecosystems and Global Ecology17
- Ch. 54 - Biodiversity and Conservation Ecology18
Chapter 38, Problem 6
What are the advantages and disadvantages of self-fertilization versus those of outcrossing?
Verified step by step guidance1
Self-fertilization involves a single individual providing both gametes for reproduction, leading to a high degree of genetic similarity between parent and offspring. This can be advantageous in stable environments where the parent's traits are well-suited to survival, as it ensures those successful traits are passed on directly.
However, self-fertilization can also lead to inbreeding depression, where the accumulation of deleterious alleles causes reduced fitness in the population. This is a significant disadvantage as it can lead to a lack of genetic diversity, making the population more susceptible to diseases and environmental changes.
Outcrossing, or cross-fertilization, involves two individuals contributing gametes, which increases genetic diversity. This genetic variation is beneficial for adapting to changing environments and resisting evolving pathogens and diseases, thus potentially increasing the survival and reproduction success of offspring.
A disadvantage of outcrossing is that it requires finding and competing for mates, which can expend considerable time and energy. Additionally, successful traits present in an individual may not be passed as effectively if the mate carries different or less advantageous traits.
Outcrossing also exposes populations to outbreeding depression if individuals from different populations mate and produce offspring with incompatible or less fit genetic combinations. This can reduce the fitness of a population in certain ecological contexts.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Self-Fertilization
Self-fertilization is a reproductive strategy where an organism fertilizes its own gametes, leading to offspring that are genetically similar to the parent. This method can be advantageous in stable environments where the parent's traits are well-suited for survival. However, it reduces genetic diversity, which can make populations more vulnerable to diseases and environmental changes.
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05:48
Self-Fertilization Experiment: True-Breeding vs. Hybrid Plants
Outcrossing
Outcrossing involves the fertilization of gametes from different individuals, promoting genetic diversity within a population. This increased variation can enhance adaptability and resilience to environmental changes and diseases. However, outcrossing may also require more energy and resources to find mates, and it can be less effective in isolated or sparse populations.
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Genetic Diversity
Genetic diversity refers to the total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species. High genetic diversity is crucial for the survival and adaptability of populations, as it allows for a wider range of traits that can be beneficial in changing environments. Conversely, low genetic diversity can lead to inbreeding depression, where the accumulation of deleterious alleles negatively impacts the health and viability of a population.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
When does the apical–basal axis first become apparent?
a. When the epidermal, ground, and vascular tissues form
b. When the cotyledons, hypocotyl, and root form
c. When the first cell division produces the apical cell and basal cell
d. During the globular stage, when the suspensor is complete
Textbook Question
Why is the emergence of the radicle an important first step in germination?
a. Its hook helps protect the shoot that emerges later.
b. It carries out photosynthesis to supply the embryo with food.
c. It is important for establishing a supply of water to the growing embryo.
d. It is necessary to break the seed coat.
Textbook Question
In what sense are the tissues produced in the shoot and root apical meristems of a 300-year-old oak tree 'embryonic'?
Textbook Question
Human embryonic stem cells are capable of forming all types of cells in the human body. How are these cells similar to meristem cells in plants?
Textbook Question
Consider the following fruits: an acorn, a cherry, a burr, and a dandelion seed. Based on the structure of each of these fruits, predict how the seed is dispersed.
Design a study that would estimate the average distance that each type of seed is dispersed from the parent plant.