A biologist studying petunias identifies 38 different petal colors.

Question

Which statement best explains why petunia flowers can have different petal colors?

Responses

Petunias destroy all but one gene for petal color.
Petunias destroy all but one gene for petal color.

Different genes will activate to code for different petal colors.
Different genes will activate to code for different petal colors.

Different alleles code for different petal colors.
Different alleles code for different petal colors.

Petunia flowers change color depending on the available sunlight.

Answer 1

The statement that best explains why petunia flowers can have different petal colors is:

Different alleles code for different petal colors.

This statement correctly reflects the genetic diversity within the petunia species, as different alleles (variations of a gene) can result in a range of petal colors.