Teosinte: The Wild Ancestor of Maize

What is the wild ancestor of maize (corn) that grows wild in the southwestern Mexico called?

a) Wild wheat b) Teosinte c) Wild rice d) Wild barley

Final answer:

The wild predecessor of maize (corn) growing in southwestern Mexico is called Teosinte.

Explanation:

The wild ancestor of maize (corn) that grows wild in southwestern Mexico is Teosinte. Maize was domesticated from this type of wild edible grass between 5000 and 3000 BCE. Human intervention was key in transforming Teosinte into the large, cob-producing plant we know today. Once domesticated, it became an important staple carbohydrate and was disseminated throughout Mesoamerica and eventually beyond. Maize propagation in local agrarian cultures led to the growth of large populations, emphasizing its role in sustaining civilizations. Aside from conventional food, maize found purposes like generating a fermented alcoholic drink and popcorn, especially in the Andean region.