A Fertile Tetraploid Would Best Be Characterized as Having A(an)

Question

A fertile tetraploid would best be characterized as having a(an):
A) Two distinct sets of chromosomes with each set being duplicated
B) One distinct set of chromosomes that have been duplicated
C) Three distinct sets of chromosomes with each set being duplicated
D) Four distinct sets of chromosomes with each set being duplicated
E) None of these

Accepted Answer

A tetraploid organism has four sets of chromosomes. When it is fertile, it means that these chromosomes can pair and segregate properly during meiosis, which is most easily achieved if the organism has two distinct sets of chromosomes, each of which has been duplicated. This allows for proper pairing and genetic diversity during reproduction.