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Question #45312
The Question
A naturally dioecious plant species possesses a cluster of tightly linked genes (recombination frequency < 1%) on a single chromosome. Due to a severe ecological bottleneck, the surviving population transitions to a monoecious state exhibiting obligate autogamy. Which of the following best describes the long-term genetic consequence for this specific gene cluster?
Options
- A.
The linked genes will begin to assort independently to compensate for the loss of cross-pollination, restoring Mendelian gamete frequencies.
- B.
The population will experience 'genetic load' locking, as the combination of autogamy and tight linkage prevents the reassortment of beneficial and deleterious alleles.
- C.
The recombination frequency between the linked genes will approach 50%, acting as a novel outbreeding device to prevent inbreeding depression.
- D.
Deleterious alleles within the linked block will be rapidly purged because obligate autogamy promotes the formation of novel recombinant phenotypes.
Check Your Answer
Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Comparative_Analysis
Sharpen your ability to evaluate multiple scenarios and distinguish between competing potential answers.
Concepts Behind This Question
Linkage Group Calculation|Outbreeding Device Logic|Independent_Assortment
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
The 'Conceptual Pivot' is synthesizing Cytogenetics (Linkage) with Plant Evolutionary Biology (Outbreeding devices).
Students often treat these as isolated chapters.
They fail to realize that outbreeding is essential to shuffle alleles across a population, which is the only way to break up tightly linked gene blocks.
A common misconception is that organisms can alter their recombination frequencies (a physical distance metric) as a compensatory mechanism for inbreeding.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants - Class 12 |
| Concept | Outbreeding Device Logic |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |