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Question #45507
The Question
In a population of Commelina, a severe ecological disturbance completely eliminates its pollinator guild. Integrating the concepts of reproductive strategies and ecological stability, which of the following represents the most accurate consequence for this population?
Options
- A.
The population will face immediate extinction because the loss of chasmogamy-driven genetic diversity completely destabilizes the population's resilience.
- B.
Cleistogamous flowers will provide reproductive assurance by guaranteeing seed set, acting as an evolutionary bet-hedge against this biotic stress.
- C.
Chasmogamous flowers will obligately rely on geitonogamy to maintain genetic diversity and ensure population stability in the absence of pollinators.
- D.
The population will survive solely through cleistogamy, which will subsequently increase genetic variation due to the expression of hidden alleles.
Check Your Answer
Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Comparative_Analysis
Sharpen your ability to evaluate multiple scenarios and distinguish between competing potential answers.
Concepts Behind This Question
Cleistogamy vs Chasmogamy|Biotic Interactions - Positive/Negative sign matrix|Diversity-Stability Relationship
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Students often rigidly apply the 'Diversity = Stability' rule from Ecology and assume any loss of cross-pollination leads to immediate extinction.
They fail to integrate the Reproduction unit's concept of cleistogamy as an evolutionary 'fail-safe' or reproductive assurance mechanism against pollinator limitation.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants - Class 12 |
| Concept | Cleistogamy vs Chasmogamy |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |