Question:
Which one of the following organisms is a cytoplasmically inherited symbiotic bacterium that can cause extreme female-biased sex ratios in many insects?
Which one of the following organisms is a cytoplasmically inherited symbiotic bacterium that can cause extreme female-biased sex ratios in many insects?
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Wolbachia can cause sex ratio distortion in insects by affecting their reproductive processes, including parthenogenesis and male killing.
Updated On: Nov 27, 2025
- Clostridium
- Escherichia
- Mycobacterium
- Wolbachia
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The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding Wolbachia.
Wolbachia is a genus of bacteria that is maternally inherited and can manipulate host reproductive systems, causing extreme sex ratio distortions, such as producing more females than males. This bacterium is commonly found in many insect species.
Step 2: Analysis of options.
- (A) Clostridium: These are anaerobic bacteria, not associated with sex ratio manipulation in insects.
- (B) Escherichia: This is a genus of bacteria that includes E. coli, which does not cause sex ratio distortions in insects.
- (C) Mycobacterium: These bacteria are responsible for diseases like tuberculosis but do not cause sex ratio distortion.
- (D) Wolbachia: Wolbachia is known for inducing female-biased sex ratios and is a symbiotic bacterium found in many insect species.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (D) Wolbachia, as it is the bacterium responsible for causing extreme female-biased sex ratios in many insects.
Wolbachia is a genus of bacteria that is maternally inherited and can manipulate host reproductive systems, causing extreme sex ratio distortions, such as producing more females than males. This bacterium is commonly found in many insect species.
Step 2: Analysis of options.
- (A) Clostridium: These are anaerobic bacteria, not associated with sex ratio manipulation in insects.
- (B) Escherichia: This is a genus of bacteria that includes E. coli, which does not cause sex ratio distortions in insects.
- (C) Mycobacterium: These bacteria are responsible for diseases like tuberculosis but do not cause sex ratio distortion.
- (D) Wolbachia: Wolbachia is known for inducing female-biased sex ratios and is a symbiotic bacterium found in many insect species.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (D) Wolbachia, as it is the bacterium responsible for causing extreme female-biased sex ratios in many insects.
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