The answer to this would be D. They would gain water.
Answer:
10 chromosomes/sister chromatids
Explanation:
Prophase is the first stage of cell division (mitosis). Prior to the cell entering the actual division stage, it undergoes a phase where it prepares its content and most importantly undergo the duplication of its genetic material (DNA). This DNA are found as chromosomes. It undergoes replication of its DNA in the S-phase of interphase stage.
Since Arabidopsis thaliana has 10 chromosomes, and each chromosome holds one DNA molecule, 10 molecules of DNA will be present in the mustard plant's genome. These 10 molecules of DNA will be replicated on another copy of chromosome which is identical to the template. This chromosomes are called SISTER chromatids i.e. replicated chromosome. Each sister chromatids are held together at the centromere and are considered one individual chromosome until they separate during anaphase stage.
Hence, at the Prophase stage, before separation, each sister chromatid (replicated chromosome) is considered as one chromosome. Thus, in the mustard plant with 10 chromosomes, it will possess 10 sister chromatids or chromosomes at the Prophase stage.
N.B: When sister chromatids separate during anaphase stage, they will be regarded as individual chromosomes.
<span>A moist environment because physical weathering processes such as oxidation take place most quickly in the presence of water.
There are three types of weathering, physical, chemical, and biological.
For the physical weathering, there are two main types. Freeze-thaw cycles and exfoliation. Obviously the freeze-thaw cycles require water and the exfoliation generally happens through thermal expansion and contraction which doesn't require water. But since neither of these mechanisms were observed, that doesn't indicate if the area was wet or dry. Biological weathering is caused by plants or animals breaking down rocks via chemical (acid) or mechanical (root growth) means. Life generally indicates the presence of water, but since this form of weathering wasn't observed, we still don't have enough data. Chemical weathering is caused by rain water reacting with the rocks to form new minerals and salts. There are several types such as acidic rainwater dissolving part of the rock, and oxidation. With this in mind, let's take a look at the available options.
A moist environment because there is a greater density of oxygen in the atmosphere in the presence of water.
* Yes, we need a moist environment, but the density of oxygen is fairly constant world wide regardless of how moist or dry the environment is. So this is a bad choice.
A moist environment because physical weathering processes such as oxidation take place most quickly in the presence of water.
* Water speeds up chemical weathering of all types. So this is the correct choice.
A dry environment because the increased albedo of deserts encourages physical weathering processes such as oxidation.
* Yes, the increased albedo of deserts does speed up spalling, but oxidation is a CHEMICAL weathering process, not a PHYSICAL one. So this is a bad choice.
A dry environment because in the absence of water oxidation is the dominant weathering process.
* Water speeds up oxidation quite a bit. And since the observed oxidation is thick, there's been quite a bit of weathering. So this is a bad choice.</span>
