AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Polyploids are common among plants, as well as among certain groups of fish and amphibians. For instance, some salamanders, frogs, and leeches are polyploids. Many of these polyploid organisms are fit and well-adapted to their environments.

Detailed explanation-2: -Examples of important polyploid plants used for human food include, Triticum aestivum (wheat), Arachis hypogaea (peanut), Avena sativa (oat), Musa sp. (banana), many agricultural Brassica species, Solanum tuberosum (potato), Fragaria ananassa (strawberry), and Coffea arabica (coffee).

Detailed explanation-3: -One of the most striking genetic differences between plants and animals is the prevalence of polyploidy in the former group and its rarity in the latter: although 30%-50% of all angiosperm species are polyploid (Stebbins 1950; Grant 1981), few polyploid series are found among animals (Muller 1925).

Detailed explanation-4: -Perhaps plants tolerate genome duplication better than animals because they have inherently more flexible body plans than animals, and can more easily cope with any gross anatomical changes that might accompany it. Whatever the reason, plant polyploidy is rampant.