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Question #46481
The Question
In a highly specialized co-evolutionary relationship, a plant species expends significant metabolic energy to produce specific toxic alkaloids to resist an exclusive herbivore. Based on the principles of population genetics and biodiversity, which of the following statements regarding this system is INCORRECT?
Options
- A.
The intense directional selection exerted by the herbivore ensures that the plant population's allele frequencies for toxin production will significantly deviate from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.
- B.
The high metabolic cost of maintaining this specialized resistance can lower the plant's reproductive fitness in herbivore-free environments, potentially reducing its effective population size.
- C.
Because this specialized interaction contributes to the genetic diversity of the ecosystem, it inherently guarantees greater community stability and resilience against random environmental perturbations.
- D.
The obligate nature of such specialized co-evolutionary relationships creates a fragile dependency, making both species highly susceptible to co-extinction if one partner is eliminated.
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Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Regulatory_Failure
Understand how NOT, EXCEPT, and logical constraints are used to manipulate exam results.
Concepts Behind This Question
Co-evolutionary Resistance|Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium Variables|Diversity-Stability Relationship
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Students often blindly apply the blanket NCERT rule that 'more diversity equals more stability' (David Tilman's experiments) without recognizing the ecological trade-off of extreme specialization.
The trap is failing to distinguish between broad ecosystem diversity and the extreme fragility of obligate, highly specialized genetic dependencies which actually increase the risk of co-extinction.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Evolution - Class 12 |
| Concept | Co-evolutionary Resistance |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |