Question

select the correct answer. a botanist scrapes pollen off a flower of one plant and then uses it to pollinate the flower of another plant. what can be scientifically concluded about their offspring? a. they will have a large amount of genetic variation. b. they will have twice the number of chromosomes as their parents. c. they will be genetically distinct from their parents. d. they will be able to reproduce only asexually.

Explanation:

When pollen from one plant is used to pollinate another plant, sexual reproduction occurs. This leads to genetic recombination, resulting in offspring with a large amount of genetic variation. Offspring do not have twice the number of chromosomes as parents (they have the normal diploid number after fertilization). Asexual reproduction is not relevant here as pollen - based pollination is sexual reproduction. Offspring are genetically distinct from parents due to genetic mixing during meiosis and fertilization.

Answer:

A. They will have a large amount of genetic variation.