The Size of a Plant's Seeds Reflects an Evolutionary Trade-Off

Multiple Choice

The size of a plant's seeds reflects an evolutionary trade-off.Large,heavy seeds contain ample nutrient reserves to fuel seedling growth but may not travel far.Small seeds,on the other hand,store limited nutrients but tend to disperse far and wide.The crops that humans cultivate typically have larger seeds than do their wild ancestors.How has human farming altered the evolution of these crops?

A) We have removed the selection pressure favoring small seed size.
B) Because we spread the seeds, we can spread more smaller seeds per acre, thus favoring these plants.
C) We have created crop plants that are more competitive in the wild than their ancestors.
D) We grow the plants under conditions that favor the growth of larger seeds.
E) By using fertilizers, the seeds do not need to store as many nutrients.