From Teosinte to Corn
Ancient Teosinte
Corn's ancestor did not have large ears. Instead, hard, nut-like kernels were distributed in small, feathery cobs over many tertiary branches.
Modern Corn (Maize)
Corn today comes in many varieties, all of which have ears that contain many soft kernels.
From Teosinte to Corn
The genes that control a number of specific traits have
been identified.
For example, a gene on chromosome #1 causes the ears
of corn to be big and to grow on a few short branches.
In contrast, the ears of teosinte are scattered over
many small branches.
A gene on the second chromosome causes more rows of
kernels to grow, yielding more food per corn plant.
A gene on the fourth chromosome causes corn kernels
to have small, soft casings. Teosinte kernels have much
larger, harder kernel casings that make them hard to
eat.
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Ancient Teosinte (left) Corn's ancestor did not have large ears. Instead, hard, nut-like kernels were distributed in small, feathery cobs over many tertiary branches.
Modern Corn (Maize) (right)
Corn today comes in many varieties, all of which have ears that contain many soft kernels.
Photos courtesy of John Doebley. |
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