Shefali saw many thorn apple flowers on the roadside, and small birds moving about the flowers of a silk cotton tree. The differences between the two plants she saw are-

i. New characters arise
ii. Pollination is certain
iii. Much pollen is wasted

Think it through first, then pick an option.

a i and ii
b i and iii
c ii and iii
d i, ii and iii

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: d i, ii and iii

All three differ: the thorn apple is self-pollinated (certain, little waste, same character) and silk cotton cross-pollinated (new characters, uncertain, much waste).

Why the other options are wrong

a i and ii: i and ii are right, but iii is right too: much pollen is wasted in silk cotton because of the carrier. So i and ii alone fall short.
b i and iii: i and iii are right, but ii is right too: pollination is certain in the thorn apple and not in silk cotton. ii is left out.
c ii and iii: ii and iii are right, but i is right too: cross-pollinated silk cotton gets new characters and the thorn apple does not. i is left out.