Chapter 12, Problem 1IQ

Inquiry question What confounding problems could have been seen if Mendel had chosen another plant with exposed male and female structures?

Summary Introduction

To determine: The problems that Mendel could face if he had chosen another plant with exposed male and female structures.

Introduction: The gametes fuse to initiate the development of an offspring, and the process is termed as Fertilization. The process occurs if male and female gametes are produced via the same organism. Fertilization is also termed as generative Fertilization, insemination, pollination, fecundation, syngamy, and impregnation.

Explanation of Solution

The problems related to self-fertilization or cross-fertilization were found if the Mendel had chosen another plant with exposed male and female structures. Cross-fertilization is the process fusion of male and female gametes of the same species and different individuals. Mendel chose a pea plant flower, and petals enclose both the male anther and the female carpel, and this leads self-fertilization taking place till the flower is disturbed. Mendel gathered pollen from the anthers of a white flower, then stored pollen onto the stigma of a purple flower with anthers excluded. The cross-fertilization yields all hybrid seeds that give rise to purple flowers, and using pollen from a white flower to fertilize a purple flower provides the same result.