How does polyploidy cause variation?

1 Answer
Jun 28, 2015

Polyploidy causes variation due to extra sets of chromosomes. It is usually lethal in animals.

Explanation:

Polyploidy occurs when there are extra sets of chromosomes. In animals, this is usually lethal. However, plants are able to survive polyploidy in some cases. For example, plants which have double petals are often tetraploid, having four sets of chromosomes rather than two. There are methods used by horticulturists that deliberately cause polyploidy to create new varieties.