Mistletoe is a plant that lives on trees and gains nutrition from them (that is, it is a parasite). The fruit of the mistletoe is a one-seeded berry and is consumed by birds. In members of the genus Viscum, the outside of the seed is viscous (sticky), which permits the seed to adhere to surfaces such as the branches of host plants or the beaks of birds. What should be expected of the fruit if the viscosity of Viscum seeds is primarily an adaptation for dispersal rather than an adaptation for infecting host plant tissues? The fruit ________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If the viscosity of Viscum seeds is primarily an adaptation for dispersal, then it is likely that the fruit is nutritious to the dispersing organisms (birds). This would increase the likelihood that birds would eat the fruit and help to disperse the seeds. Options A and B are not related to the viscosity of the seeds, and option D suggests that the seeds have an adaptation for infecting host plant tissues, which is not relevant to this question.

Mistletoe Is a Plant That Lives on Trees and Gains