An Individual Plant Was Discovered That Could Not Grow Towards

Multiple Choice

An individual plant was discovered that could not grow towards light. After some research, it was determined that the reason was a defective gene that did not allow for the level of cell elongation necessary for a phototropic response. This mutation greatly reduces the fitness of the individual plant. Which of the following best explains the reduction in fitness in the mutant plant?

A) The plant was too short to attract insects for pollination.
B) The plant could not adjust to directional light, which reduced photosynthetic activity and therefore energy available for reproduction.
C) Because the plant grew much taller and straighter, resources that could be used for reproduction were used for growth.
D) The loss of a phototropic response meant that the plant's seeds could not germinate, so reproduction would be unsuccessful.