The size of a plant's seeds reflects an evolutionary trade-off. Large, heavy seeds contain ample nutrients to fuel seedling growth but may not travel far. In contrast, small seeds store limited nutrients but disperse far and wide. Human-cultivated crops typically have larger seeds than do their wild ancestors. How has human farming altered the evolution of these crops?


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


E. We have removed the selection pressure favoring small seed size.

Biology & Microbiology

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