If all flowers in a type of plant were only capable of self-pollination. Class 9

If all flowers in a type of plant were only capable of self-pollination. Class 9

Question 1.

If all flowers in a type of plant were only capable of self-pollination, how would it affect the genetic diversity over several generations? Explain. Class 9

Answer:

If all flowers in a type of plant were only capable of self-pollination, genetic diversity would decrease significantly over several generations. In self-pollination, pollen from a flower is transferred to the stigma of the same flower or another flower on the same plant. Since only one individual's genetic material is involved, there is no introduction of new genetic combinations from a different individual. Over many generations of self-pollination, offspring would become increasingly similar to each other and to the parent - essentially forming highly inbred populations.

Any harmful or unfavourable genes present in the plant would also be passed on to all offspring without any chance of being diluted or eliminated by genes from another individual. This would reduce the ability of the plant population to adapt to changing environments, diseases or other stresses, making the population more vulnerable to extinction. Genetic diversity, which is the raw material for evolution and adaptation, would be greatly reduced.