A certain short-day plant flowers only when days are less than 12 hours long. Which of the following would cause it to flower? a. a 9-hour night and 15-hour day with 1 minute of darkness after 7 hours b. an 8-hour day and 16-hour night with a flash of white light after 8 hours c. a 13-hour night and 11-hour day with 1 minute of darkness after 6 hours d. a 12-hour day and 12-hour night with a flash of red light after 6 hours

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the critical day length for the plant to flower, which is less than 12 hours of daylight.
2. Review each option to determine the total amount of daylight the plant receives.
3. Consider the effect of any interruptions in the light or dark period, such as flashes of light or periods of darkness, on the plant's perception of day length.
4. Evaluate how these interruptions might reset the plant's internal clock, particularly focusing on whether they make the plant 'think' the day is shorter or longer.
5. Select the option where the total daylight does not exceed 12 hours and interruptions support the perception of a shorter day.