X and Y are two species of grasses, each with a diploid number of 20. A new sexually reproducing species, Z, arises as a polyploid following hybridisation between X and Y. The diploid number of Z would be
A) 20.
B) 30.
C) 40.
D) 60.
E) 80.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When two species hybridize and form a polyploid, the chromosome number is typically the sum of the chromosome numbers of the two parent species. Since both X and Y have a diploid number of 20, the new species Z would have a diploid number of 40 (20 from X and 20 from Y).

X and Y Are Two Species of Grasses, Each with a Diploid