Some common domesticated fruit plants, including seedless watermelon and banana, are triploids. The seeds are small because most are genetically abnormal and do not undergo complete development. Why are most of the seeds genetically abnormal? (Hint: In normal meiosis, the chromosomes form pairs.)

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Triploid plants have three sets of chromosomes instead of the usual two sets in diploid plants. This means that during meiosis, the chromosomes cannot form proper pairs, leading to errors in chromosome distribution and resulting in genetically abnormal seeds, which are usually small and don't undergo complete development.

Some Common Domesticated Fruit Plants, Including Seedless Watermelon and Banana