Question

Mule is a product of_____
A.Mutation
B.Breeding
C.Intraspecific hybridisation
D.Interspecific hybridisation

Answer 1

Hint: Genetic engineering techniques like breeding, interspecific hybridization and intraspecific hybridization are mainly used to produce offspring that have desirable characteristics of both the parents.

Complete answer:
The mutation is the change produced in the nucleotide sequence of DNA. Mutation takes place from the mistakes that happened during the division of cells, and upon exposure to ionising radiation or exposure to chemicals called mutagens or by some infections caused by viruses. As a result of mutation, normal development is hindered and it will cause several medical conditions such as genetic disorder.
Breeding is the process in which sexual reproduction is carried out between a male and female of the same organism but with desirable characteristics. It is usually carried out in farms for the livestock where for example a bull with a high growth rate and a cow with high production of milk is mated to produce a high-efficiency offspring with all these characteristics. Breeding will never lead to the production of a new species.

Intraspecific hybridisation is the process in which 2 organisms belonging to the subspecies of the same species are hybridised to produce an offspring with qualities and traits of both the parents. The parents are chosen such that they belong under the same species but with different traits. For example, a Bengal tiger and a Siberian tiger are hybridised to produce a new species coming under the same species of tigers but with qualities of both the parents.
Interspecific hybridisation is the process in which 2 different species of organisms are mated to form a new species. The parents are chosen such that they belong to different but related species coming under the same genus. This is done to obtain the desired characteristics of both the parents. Mule is produced from a male donkey and female horse as they combined the strength of the horse and the load-carrying capacity of a donkey. This process often increases the economic value of the offspring.
Option A) Mule is not the product of mutation. Therefore this is an Incorrect option
Option B) Mule is not the product of Breeding. Therefore this is an Incorrect option
Option C) Mule is not the product of Intraspecific hybridisation. Therefore this is an Incorrect option
Option D) Mule is the product of Interspecific hybridisation between a male donkey and a female horse. Therefore this is the correct option

Hence, the correct answer is option (D)

Note: In India, the mule has been produced using interspecific hybridization mainly for transportation and carrying the load. This new species carries the strength of the female parent horse and the load-carrying capacity of the donkey. Interspecific hybridisation of a male horse and a female donkey produces a hinny. The Interspecific hybridisation between a zebra and donkey produces a zonkey.