Before You Begin
Question #45271
The Question
During a cytological investigation, a mutation is identified that completely abolishes the formation of the synaptonemal complex during Prophase I. Based on the principles of meiosis and evolutionary reproductive strategies, which of the following accurately contrasts the consequence of this mutation in a strictly biparental species versus a parthenogenetic species?
Options
- A.
The biparental species will produce aneuploid gametes resulting in reproductive death, whereas the parthenogenetic species may utilize this failure to establish polyploidy.
- B.
Both species will experience complete meiotic arrest at the zygotene stage, leading to absolute sterility and population decline.
- C.
The biparental species will produce unreduced diploid gametes leading to polyploidy, whereas the parthenogenetic species will suffer aneuploidy.
- D.
The biparental species will bypass crossing over but maintain normal disjunction, whereas the parthenogenetic species will undergo apomixis.
Check Your Answer
Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Evolutionary_Exception
Tackle problems where standard rules evolve or change based on specific environmental constraints.
Concepts Behind This Question
Synaptonemal Complex|Polyspermy Prevention Mechanisms|Meiosis I
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Distinguishing between aneuploidy (a chaotic segregation error typical in sexual species lacking the SC) and polyploidy (a whole-genome duplication event often utilized as a reproductive strategy in parthenogens).
Students often mistakenly equate meiotic failure in all organisms with immediate sterility, ignoring the evolutionary bypasses present in asexual/parthenogenetic lineages.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Cell Cycle and Cell Division - Class 11 |
| Concept | Synaptonemal Complex Assembly |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |