In many ways, a mule is a superior animal to the horse or donkey. Mules are often stronger and can jump higher than either of their parents. Why, then, are mules considered to be a "weak hybrid"?They are more prone to disease than are horses and donkeys.They are sterile.They do not live as long as horses and donkeys.Their offspring are progressively weaker than the parents.
Question
In many ways, a mule is a superior animal to the horse or donkey. Mules are often stronger and can jump higher than either of their parents. Why, then, are mules considered to be a "weak hybrid"?They are more prone to disease than are horses and donkeys.They are sterile.They do not live as long as horses and donkeys.Their offspring are progressively weaker than the parents.
Solution
Mules are considered a "weak hybrid" primarily because they are sterile. This means they cannot reproduce. This sterility is due to the fact that horses have 64 chromosomes and donkeys have 62, resulting in mules having an odd number of 63 chromosomes which does not divide evenly. This prevents the formation of viable sperm or eggs, making them unable to have offspring of their own. This is a significant disadvantage from an evolutionary perspective, as the success of a species is largely measured by its ability to reproduce and pass on its genes. Despite their physical strength and endurance, this reproductive barrier classifies them as a "weak hybrid".
Similar Questions
Mules are sterile and are the result of crossing a horse with a donkey. This is an example of:Group of answer choiceslow hybrid zygote viabilitylow hybrid adult viabilityhybrid zonegametic isolationhybrid infertility
The mule is the result of the interbreeding of two separate species. Mules cannot form fertile, viable offspring with horses, donkeys, or mules. The mule is therefore an example of which of the following?Multiple choice question.A species that originated because of an autopolyploid event in the horseA hybrid species that can produce viable offspringA new species that originated through hybridizationA species that evolved allopatrically to the horseA sterile hybrid
Which is left unexplained by the biological species concept, thereby weakening the concept?Multiple choice question.The existence of viable, but sterile hybrids (such as the mule)Hybridization in natural settingsHybridization in captivity
If you mate a donkey (2n = 62) with a horse (2n = 64) you get a mule. Mules are sterile and cannot produce gametes by meiosis because theyMultiple Choicecontain too few chromosomes.have an odd number of chromosomes.have an even number of chromosomes.contain too many chromosomes.lack genes that are essential for life.
Which of the following produces hybrids such as mules?Group of answer choicespremating isolating mechanismsepigeneticsasexual reproductionpostmating isolating mechanisms
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