Question

Assume that after every budding cycle, the parent organism becomes barren. And the daughter organism produced further gives rise to a new organism. After a period of 78 hours, how many fertile and barren organisms would be left if the initial number of organisms N0 = 2 (Assume that every budding cycle takes 2 hours)?

(a) 1 and 2^39-1 respectively

(b) 1 and 39 respectively

(c) 2 and 78 respectively

(d) 2 and 2^40-1 respectively

The question was asked during an interview.

My query is from Biological Classification topic in chapter Biological Classification of Biology – Class 11

Answer 1

Correct option is (c) 2 and 78 respectively

Best explanation: After one budding cycle, number of fertile and barren yeasts are 1 and 1 respectively. After two budding cycles, number of fertile and barren yeasts are 1 and 2 respectively. After n budding cycles, number of fertile and barren yeasts would be 1 and n respectively.

Therefore, after 78 hours number of budding cycles = 78/2 = 39

Since, N0 = 2, after 78 hours number of fertile and barren yeasts are 2 and 78 respectively.