Key Advantage of Cross-Pollination
The primary advantage of cross-pollination over self-pollination lies in the introduction of genetic diversity.
Understanding Pollination Types
- Self-pollination: Pollen from a flower's anther pollinates its own stigma or another flower on the same plant. This leads to offspring genetically similar to the parent plant.
- Cross-pollination: Pollen from one plant's flower pollinates the stigma of a flower on a different plant of the same species. This involves genetic material from two different parents.
Comparing Advantages
Cross-pollination offers a significant benefit:
- Genetic Variation: It combines genetic material from two different parent plants, creating offspring (progeny) with new combinations of traits.
- Improved Survival: This genetic variation increases the likelihood that some offspring will possess traits better suited to survive environmental changes, diseases, or pests, thus enhancing the species' overall chances of survival.
Why Other Options Are Less Advantageous
- Option 2 is incorrect: Cross-pollination often relies on external agents (wind, insects), which can require significant energy/resources, whereas self-pollination can be more energy-efficient.
- Option 3 is incorrect: Producing identical progeny is characteristic of self-pollination, not the goal of cross-pollination.
- Option 4 is incorrect: Cross-pollination inherently depends on pollinating agents to transfer pollen between plants.
Conclusion
Therefore, the introduction of genetic variations leading to improved chances of survival is the primary advantage of cross-pollination.
Important Questions from Biology
Which of the following statements about living and non-living being is/are correct?
1. While living being can demonstrate growth and repair, non-living being cannot.
2. While living being demonstrates metabolic processes, non-living being does not.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.Movement of materials to different parts of cytoplasm and nucleus is generally carried out by
The gaseous product of a process in plants is a requirement for another vital process that releases energy. Given below are four combinations of the process and product. Identify the correct answer.
Which one of the following cell organelles may play a role in expelling excess water and wastes in case of unicellular organisms?
Transformation of meristematic cells into specific permanent tissues occurs by the process of
