What genetic feature primarily causes the zorse offspring to be sterile?
Answer
Chromosomal imbalance that prevents successful meiosis.
The key factor rendering the zorse sterile is the significant disparity in the number of chromosomes inherited from the zebra parent versus the horse parent. This chromosomal imbalance prevents the complex process of meiosis—the cell division required to produce functional gametes (sperm or eggs)—from completing successfully. Because the resulting sex cells, if formed at all, are genetically unbalanced, the animal cannot contribute viable genetic material to the next generation, firmly classifying the zorse as sterile and preventing the establishment of a new, stable species.
Related Questions
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