Question

Genetically identical individuals are always defined as
A. Cybrid
B. Hybrid
C. Clone
D. None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Asexual reproduction is the method by which organisms reproduce in an asexual manner involving only a single parent. It differs from sexual reproduction as the latter involves both parents. All offsprings produced by asexual reproduction are not only identical to the parent, but also to one another.

Complete answer: Progenies produced in asexual reproduction are genetically identical to each other. They have the same morphological characteristics as well as genetic makeup. These are called clones. We make use of these organisms for various purposes. In tissue culture, hundreds of good quality plants can be produced from a single parent which will have all the qualities of the parent. In plants, a clone can be achieved through the process of tissue culture. It is a process that is performed in vitro under sterile conditions. Variations in the progenies can only be achieved in sexual reproduction. Sexual reproduction involves the fusion of gametes from the male and female parent. Gamete formation takes place by meiotic division. In meiotic division, crossing over of chromosome fragments takes place between homologous chromosomes. This induces recombination. Because of this progeny are different from their parents. Offsprings of two different groups of organisms are called hybrids. Hybrids created by transferring fragments of DNA from one organism to the genome of another organism which belongs to a different group are called cybrids.
Hence the correct answer is option C.

Note: Variation may be genotypic or phenotypic in nature. Genotypic variations are caused by the differences in number and structure of chromosomes. It may also occur when the genes present in these chromosomes are different. Phenotypic variations are the external variations seen in organisms in relation to their age, environment and other factors.