Evolution
Evolution
4th Edition
ISBN: 9781605356051
Author: Douglas Futuyma, Mark Kirkpatrick
Publisher: SINAUER
bartleby

Concept explainers

bartleby

Videos

Question
Book Icon
Chapter 20, Problem 1PDT
Summary Introduction

To explain: The cause of evolution from radial to bilateral symmetry in snapdragon flowers.

Introduction: Snapdragon plant is also known as dragon flower. Antirrhinum is the name of the genus of this plant. It belongs to the family Scrophulariaceae. Snapdragon and its relative species have bilaterally symmetrical flowers. However, the ancestors of snapdragon had radially symmetrical flowers.

Expert Solution
Check Mark

Explanation of Solution

Mutation in the cycloidea gene causes radial symmetry in the snapdragon flowers. It indicates that mutation in this gene was present in the ancestors of snapdragons, and because of it, they had flowers with radial symmetry.

However, it cannot be concluded that a mutation in this gene is the only reason which resulted in bilaterally symmetrical flowers. There might be another factor such as adaption. There is also a probability that snapdragon plants lost cycloidea gene during evolution and hence, was not able to produce flowers with radial symmetry.

Summary Introduction

To explain: Whether the evolution from radial to bilateral symmetry in snapdragon flowers is saltation or not.

Introduction: Snapdragon plant is also known as the dragon flower. Antirrhinum is the name of the genus of this plant. It belongs to the family, Scrophulariaceae. Snapdragon and its relative species have bilaterally symmetrical flowers. However, the ancestors of snapdragon had radially symmetrical flowers.

Expert Solution
Check Mark

Explanation of Solution

Saltation in biology stands for any abrupt and immediate evolutionary changes. The evolution of bilateral flowers in snapdragons can be considered as saltation. This is because the deletion of radial symmetry in snapdragon flowers was very rapid. The loss of a single gene resulted in a completely opposite symmetry, which is abrupt. Hence, it is a type of saltation.

Summary Introduction

To explain: The other possible histories of the evolution of bilaterally symmetrical flowers that are not saltational, but are compatible.

Introduction: Snapdragon plant is also known as dragon flower. Antirrhinum is the name of the genus of this plant. It belongs to the family, Scrophulariaceae. Snapdragon and its relative species have bilaterally symmetrical flowers. However, the ancestors of snapdragon had radially symmetrical flowers.

Expert Solution
Check Mark

Explanation of Solution

There are many possible histories related to the evolution of bilaterally symmetrical flowers such as adaptation. It might be a possible reason that flowers of snapdragon plant faced an extreme environment and due to this, they adapted themselves to bilateral symmetry. This is not saltation as there is no abrupt change. Adaptation occurs over a long period of time. It is a compatible evolution that occurred in correspondence to a changed environment.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
Cucumbers and melons are both members of the genus Cucumis, which includes members with distinct geographical origins:  the Asiatic group and the African group.  The African members of the genus possess disease resistance not found among the Asiatic members of the same genus, and scientists were interested in creating melon-cucumber hybrids that would possess enhanced resistance to mildew and plant viruses.  Plant breeders have nicknamed this new fruit, the “melumber”, but its scientific name is Cucumis hytivus.  Please fill in the table attached and answer the following questions. a.) Assuming that the Hoosier cucumber was produced in a laboratory, briefly describe the most likely method by which it was produced and the biological mechanism involved in the action of the agent utilized by the scientists.   b.) Suppose scientists wanted to employ an alternative approach to producing cucumber plants that were resistant to the cucumber mosaic virus. List the steps involved in producing…
Cucumbers and melons are both members of the genus Cucumis, which includes members with distinct geographical origins:  the Asiatic group and the African group.  The African members of the genus possess disease resistance not found among the Asiatic members of the same genus, and scientists were interested in creating melon-cucumber hybrids that would possess enhanced resistance to mildew and plant viruses.  Plant breeders have nicknamed this new fruit, the “melumber”, but its scientific name is Cucumis hytivus.  Please fill in the table attached and answer the following questions. a.) Assuming that the Hoosier cucumber was produced in a laboratory at Indiana University, briefly describe the most likely method by which it was produced and the biological mechanism involved in the action of the agent utilized by the scientists.   b.) Suppose scientists wanted to employ an alternative approach to producing cucumber plants that were resistant to the cucumber mosaic virus. List the steps…
Refer to Figure 18. Are the storage roots of sweet potato ( Ipomoea batatas) and the tubers of potato ( Solanum tuberosum) analogous or homologous? Explain the answer briefly
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Biology
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
Biology
ISBN:9780134580999
Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:PEARSON
Text book image
Biology 2e
Biology
ISBN:9781947172517
Author:Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi, Mary Ann Clark
Publisher:OpenStax
Text book image
Anatomy & Physiology
Biology
ISBN:9781259398629
Author:McKinley, Michael P., O'loughlin, Valerie Dean, Bidle, Theresa Stouter
Publisher:Mcgraw Hill Education,
Text book image
Molecular Biology of the Cell (Sixth Edition)
Biology
ISBN:9780815344322
Author:Bruce Alberts, Alexander D. Johnson, Julian Lewis, David Morgan, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter Walter
Publisher:W. W. Norton & Company
Text book image
Laboratory Manual For Human Anatomy & Physiology
Biology
ISBN:9781260159363
Author:Martin, Terry R., Prentice-craver, Cynthia
Publisher:McGraw-Hill Publishing Co.
Text book image
Inquiry Into Life (16th Edition)
Biology
ISBN:9781260231700
Author:Sylvia S. Mader, Michael Windelspecht
Publisher:McGraw Hill Education
Discovering the tree of life | California Academy of Sciences; Author: California Academy of Sciences;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjvLQJ6PIiU;License: Standard Youtube License