In a line of cherry tomatoes, the average fruit weight is 16 g. A...

Question

In a line of cherry tomatoes, the average fruit weight is 16 g. A plant producing tomatoes with an average weight of 12 g is used in one self-fertilization cross to produce a line of smaller tomatoes, and a plant producing tomatoes of 24 g is used in a second cross to produce larger tomatoes.

What is the selection differential (S) for fruit weight in each cross?

Accepted Answer

Hi, everyone. Let's take a look at this practice problem together. The difference between the mean phenotype of a selected group of individuals. And the mean phenotype of the entire population is termed the answer options are a selection differential B response to selection C genetic variation and D phenotypic variation. So let's begin by talking about genetic and phenotypic variation. We should know and recall what these are. These terms are. Now genetic variation is the differences in DNA sequences between individuals in a population. Now also recall that phenotypic variation is the variability of phenotypes in a population, neither genetic or phenotypic variation relate to this question. So we can eliminate both options. C and D. Now in the question, we are told the difference and we could use that to deduce that we can rephrase the question to say what is the mean phenotype of a selected group of individuals minus the mean phenotype of the entire population. Now, this is a math equation and the word differential in selection differential you might recognize as a math term. Therefore, out of deduction, we could say that selection differential is the correct answer. But let's go ahead and review. Option B now, option B response to selection, recall that that definition is the amount of phenotypic change due to selection. So it does not describe the difference between the mean phenotype of individuals and an entire population. So we've eliminated Option B as well. So the correct answer is option a selection differential. All right, everyone. I hope you found this helpful and I'll see you soon for the next practice problem.

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