Botanist: In an experiment, scientists raised domesticated radishes in a field with wild radishes, which are consider...

Victoria on June 13, 2020

Hi @filozinni,

The botanist cites an experiment where scientists raised domesticated and wild radishes in the same field. In this experiment, the wild radishes began to show the same flower colour as the domesticated radishes within several generations.

The botanist concludes that this result suggests that pesticide resistance would be passed from the domesticated radishes to the wild radishes.

This is a flawed comparison as the botanist concludes that pesticide resistance would likely be passed based on the fact that flower colour was passed.

Answer choice (E) provides an explanation for why the botanist may have drawn this conclusion. If it is more difficult for flower colour to be transferred between the plants than it is for almost any other trait, then this suggests that it would be easier for pesticide resistance to be passed along.

As we know that flower colour was already passed between the two species, it makes sense that the easier transfer may also take place.

Hope this is helpful! Please let us know if you have any further questions.

filozinni on June 14, 2020

Thank you @Victoria!