Question

You are a plant ecologist studying a plant in the genus \textit{Veronica. You notice that, at open rocky sites, \textit{Veronica} grows as a creeper spreading low to the ground, whereas in grasslands, the stem stands upright. You collect seeds from multiple populations in each habitat type and grow them under uniform conditions in a greenhouse. You find that all the plants grown in the greenhouse have stems that stand upright. Which one or more of the following explanations best support(s) your observations?}

• A. The different morphologies in the natural habitat types are due to phenotypic plasticity.
• B. Inbreeding depression has led to the creeping form in the rocky sites.
• C. High gene flow between populations has restricted local adaptation in the two environments.
• D. The morphological differences between populations demonstrate that growth form is a polygenic trait.

Hint:

Phenotypic plasticity allows organisms to adjust their physiology or morphology in response to environmental conditions, showcasing an adaptive advantage in varying habitats.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Analysis of Morphological Differences: The observation that all plants grown in the greenhouse exhibit an upright form, irrespective of their seed source, strongly suggests that the environmental conditions play a significant role in determining plant morphology. This supports the idea of phenotypic plasticity, where the same genetic makeup can express different phenotypes under different environmental conditions.