Question

Which of the following best describes the genetic outcome of cross-pollination?

Options

• Offspring are genetically uniform with no variation

• Genetic recombination is prevented by the distance between plants

• Pollen grains are genetically different, resulting in genetically varied offspring

• Pollen grains are genetically identical to the receiving plant

Answer 1

Cross-pollination involves the transfer of genetically different pollen grains from one plant to another, as it is the only type of pollination that brings genetically different pollen to the stigma. This genetic diversity results in offspring with genetic variation and new characteristics not present in either parent.