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Scientists have used chemicals to produce polyploids to try to improve the characteristics of kiwi fruit plants - Scottish Highers Biology - Question 13 - 2018
Question 13
Scientists have used chemicals to produce polyploids to try to improve the characteristics of kiwi fruit plants. The table shows some characteristics of fruit from ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Scientists have used chemicals to produce polyploids to try to improve the characteristics of kiwi fruit plants - Scottish Highers Biology - Question 13 - 2018
Step 1
Step 2
Describe the relationship between ploidy and average fruit diameter.
Answer
The average fruit diameter shows that as ploidy increases from 2n to 4n, the average diameter increases from 51.7 mm to 60.0 mm. However, it does not increase further when going from 4n to 6n, as it remains constant at 60.0 mm.
Step 3
Calculate the percentage increase in average fruit mass when the chromosome number is doubled.
Answer
The average fruit mass at 2n is 96.5 g, and at 4n it is 115.8 g. The percentage increase is calculated using the formula:
ext{Percentage Increase} = rac{ ext{New Value} - ext{Old Value}}{ ext{Old Value}} imes 100Thus,
ext{Percentage Increase} = rac{115.8 - 96.5}{96.5} imes 100 \\ = rac{19.3}{96.5} imes 100 \\ ext{Percentage Increase} ext{ } ext{is approximately} 20.00 ext{.}Step 4
Step 5
Explain the importance of this in evolution.
Answer
Whole genome duplications allow for mutation and the potential for new genetic material, which can lead to the development of new traits. This genetic variation is essential for natural selection and can also result in polyploids being able to produce (sterile) hybrids.