Chapter 41 – Plant Reproduction
41–22
26. Some species of orchids attract pollinating Hymenoptera (bees and wasps) with flowers
that closely mimic the appearance of a female insect. As the male attempts to mate with the
flower, he becomes loaded with pollen, helping the plant to reproduce. If one of these orchid
plants acquired a loss-of-function mutation in a CYCLOIDEA-like gene, what do you predict
might happen?
Clarify Question
What is the key concept addressed by the question?
What type of thinking is required?
What do you already know about insects as pollinators? What other information is related
to the question?
Choose Answer
Given what you now know, what information is most likely to produce the correct answer?
• Without the spread of pollen, this mutation would not persist.
Reflect on Process
Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the
process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a
more desirable result?