Brinjal and potato belong to the same genus solanum, but to two different species. what defines them as separate species?
Question: Brinjal and potato belong to the same genus solanum, but to two different species. what defines them as separate species?
If you are a fan of brinjal (also known as eggplant) and potato, you might be surprised to learn that they belong to the same genus Solanum, which includes over 1,500 species of plants. However, they are classified as different species based on certain characteristics that distinguish them from each other. In this blog post, we will explore what defines them as separate species and why they cannot interbreed.
Brinjal (Solanum melongena) is a vegetable that is widely cultivated and consumed in Asia, Africa and Europe. It has a purple or white skin and a spongy flesh that contains many seeds. The edible part of brinjal is the fruit, which is technically a berry with a persistent calyx.
Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a staple food that is grown and eaten all over the world. It has a brown or red skin and a starchy flesh that can be cooked in various ways. The edible part of potato is the stem, which forms underground tubers that store starch and other nutrients.
The main criterion for defining two different species is that they cannot cross-reproduce or interbreed and produce fertile offspring. This is because they have different genetic makeup and chromosome number that prevent them from producing viable gametes or zygotes. Brinjal has 24 chromosomes, while potato has 48 chromosomes. Therefore, even if they are artificially pollinated, they will not produce any seeds or tubers.
Another way to define two different species is based on their morphological differences, such as shape, size, color, structure and function of various parts. Brinjal and potato have distinct specific epithets (melongena and tuberosum) that reflect their morphological differences. For example, brinjal has a smooth skin and a soft flesh, while potato has a rough skin and a firm flesh. Brinjal has a star-shaped flower with five petals, while potato has a bell-shaped flower with four petals.
So, brinjal and potato can be described as two different species based on:
- Their reproductive isolation i.e., inability to crossbreed.
- Their morphological differences i.e., variation in form and structure.
We hope you enjoyed this blog post and learned something new about these two common vegetables. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them below.
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