Question

4)a variegated leaf has white patches. the patches occur where chlorophyll is missing from the chloroplasts in some of the cells. chloroplasts have their own dna, and are inherited from one parent only.how is the variegated leaf trait inherited?○ a. variegation is inherited from the male parent. the nucleus of the male gamete transforms into a chloroplast.○ b. variegation is inherited from the female parent. only the egg cell contributes cytoplasm with chloroplasts to the embryo.○ c. variegation is inherited as a codominant trait, causing white and green leaf patches.○ d. variegation is inherited from the male parent. the male gamete contributes cytoplasm containing chloroplasts to the embryo.

Explanation:

Variegated leaf traits due to chloroplast DNA are an example of cytoplasmic inheritance, where organelles (like chloroplasts) are passed to offspring almost exclusively through the female parent's egg cell (since male gametes typically contribute little to no cytoplasm). The white patches come from cells with chloroplasts that lack functional chlorophyll DNA, and this trait is maternally inherited. Option A is incorrect because male gametes do not contribute chloroplasts/this trait. Option C is incorrect as this is not codominance (a nuclear inheritance pattern). Option D is incorrect because male gametes do not pass on chloroplasts in this context.

Answer:

B. Variegation is inherited from the female parent. Only the egg cell contributes cytoplasm with chloroplasts to the embryo.