Chapter 16, Problem 4STP

Summary Introduction

Introduction:

The process by which desired traits of certain plants and animals are selected and passed on to their future generations is called selective breeding. This can be achieved through hybridization and inbreeding. It increases the frequency of desired allele within a population.

Answer to Problem 4STP

Correct answer :

The correct answer is option D. producing trees that resist certain diseases

Explanation of Solution

Explanation/justification for the correct answer:

Option D. producing trees that resist certain diseases − This can be achieved through selective breeding. Organisms with desired traits can be produced by crossing parent organisms with different forms of a trait. The selected traits give hybrids a competitive edge and a better ability to adapt to the changes in the environment as they are stronger and disease resistant.

Hence this is the correct option.

Explanation for incorrect answer:

Option A. curing a tree of a disease− Selective breeding does not provide a cure for a disease but it can help in developing a tree that has the trait for disease resistance. Hence this is not the correct option.

Option B. finding the gene that makes a type of tree susceptible to disease- This cannot be achieved by selective breeding. A gene that makes a type of tree susceptible to disease can be found through gene mapping. Hence this is not the correct option.

Option C. mapping the genome of a fungus that causes disease in trees− Selective breeding does not help in mapping the genome of a fungus that causes disease in trees. Hence this is not the correct option.