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Question #45341
The Question
An agronomist observes that a highly adapted apomictic plant population exhibits explosive initial growth in a stable habitat but suffers a catastrophic collapse after the introduction of a novel fungal pathogen. Based on the principles of genetics and evolutionary ecology, which of the following statements is INCORRECT regarding this population's dynamics?
Options
- A.
The initial rapid population growth was facilitated by the absence of character segregation, allowing the plants to indefinitely maintain hybrid vigor and a fixed 'fitness peak'.
- B.
The sudden population collapse exemplifies the Red Queen Hypothesis, as the clonal lineage lacked the genetic recombination required to continuously co-evolve with the pathogen.
- C.
The population's extreme vulnerability aligns with the logic of the Rivet Popper hypothesis, where a severe deficit in genetic diversity (analogous to missing 'rivets') compromises long-term stability.
- D.
The collapse could have been mitigated if the plants reproduced via adventive embryony, because the diploid nucellar cells undergo independent assortment to generate novel, disease-resistant genotypes.
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Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Evolutionary_Exception
Tackle problems where standard rules evolve or change based on specific environmental constraints.
Concepts Behind This Question
Rivet_Popper_Hypothesis|Apomixis|Evolutionary_Fitness
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Failing to distinguish between 'Polyembryony' (multiple embryos) and 'Genetic Diversity'.
Students often assume that because adventive embryony involves specialized nucellar cells, it might introduce variation.
The trap explicitly pairs a correct anatomical location (nucellar cells) with a fundamentally incorrect genetic process (independent assortment) for an apomictic lineage.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants - Class 12 |
| Concept | Apomixis Genetics |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |