Final answer:
The statement that hybridization can result in fertile offspring is true. Hybridization does involve the transfer of genetic material between similar species and can result in hybrids with varying fitness levels, which impacts whether natural selection favors or disfavors these hybrids. Hybridization is also more common in plants than in animals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Among the given statements regarding hybridization, the true one is that hybridization can indeed result in fertile offspring. However, the truth of the other statements depends on various factors. Here are the considerations for each:
- Hybridization involves the transfer of genetic material between members of similar species. This is true as hybridization typically occurs between closely related species or within a species.
- Natural selection sometimes acts against progeny that result from hybridization. This can be true if the hybrids are less fit for survival compared to their parents. However, if hybrids are as fit or more fit, they may continue to reproduce and even lead to the fusion of the two species back into one.
- Hybridization occurs in plants more often than in animals. This is generally true, as many plants reproduce through methods like cross-pollination, where hybridization can more easily occur.
Additional context includes that hybrids can have varied fitness levels compared to their parents. They may be less fit, leading to a process known as reinforcement where the original species diverge further. If hybrids are more fit, it could lead to a fusion of the two species. Furthermore, Mendelian crosses in plant hybridization, such as those performed by Gregor Mendel, showcase that hybrids can display dominant traits of one parent in the first generation and exhibit a mix of traits in subsequent generations.