Final answer:
Teosinte is the ancestor of modern corn and its transformation through selective breeding played a significant role in the origin and productivity of maize.
Step-by-step explanation:
Teosinte is the ancestor of modern corn and played a significant role in the origin and productivity of maize. It is a wild grass that was genetically modified through selective breeding by indigenous people in what is now Mexico thousands of years ago. The transformation of teosinte into maize resulted in the development of a variety with desirable traits such as larger ears, non-branching growth, and easily accessible edible seeds. This process of domestication and cultivation by early farmers led to the widespread use of maize as a staple crop for both human and animal consumption.