A team of scientists is trying to understand the evolutionary history of three species of grasses. They hypothesize that Species T is a descendent of a hybrid between Species R and Species S. Which of the following experimental approaches would best help elucidate the evolutionary history of these three species?
A) Hybridize Species R and S; plant the hybrid offspring in environmental conditions similar to those of Species R; follow the morphological and genetic changes in the offspring of the hybrids; and compare any observed changes to Species R.
B) Hybridize Species R and S; plant the hybrid offspring in environmental conditions resembling those of Species R, S, and T; follow morphological and genetic changes in the offspring of the hybrids; and compare the observed changes to Species T.
C) Sequence the DNA of all three species and determine which alleles are unique to each species.
D) Hybridize Species R and S; induce tetraploidy in the hybrids; and compare the hybrids to Species T.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This approach allows for a direct comparison of the hybrid offspring under various environmental conditions to Species T, which can help determine if Species T could have evolved from a hybrid of Species R and S.

A Team of Scientists Is Trying to Understand the Evolutionary