Question

How are autopolyploids different from allopolyploids? Describe one way autopolyploids can be formed and one way allopolyploids can be formed.

Answer 1

Polyploid explains those individuals which contain more than two sets of homologous chromosomes. Autopolyploids and allopolyploids are the type of polyploids.

The differences between autopolyploidy and allopolyploidy:

Autopolyploidy contains multiple sets of chromosomes, which are derived from the same species where as allopolyploidy contains multiple sets of chromosomes, which are derived from different species.

Autopolyploidy arises by the fusion of gametes of the same species while Allopolyploidy arises by the fusion of gametes of the different species.

An autopolyploid cell contains homologous chromosome sets, while all chromosome sets of an allopolyploid cell are not homologous.

Autopolyploidy is mainly caused by nondisjunction of chromosomes while allopolyploidy is caused by mating of different species.

An autopolyploid cell does not undergo meiosis process since it has arisen from one parent while an allopolyploid cell can undergo process of meiosis.

Autopolyploidy occurs in two ways: nondisjunction of gametes and genome duplication. The nondisjunction of chromosomes occur in both mitosis and meiosis. The mitotic nondisjunction occur in the early embryo and forms polyploid new individuals. The fusion of a haploid gamete with a diploid gamete produces a triploid zygote in the process of meiosis.

Allopolyploidy uses hybridization process for producing new individuals.