这种“阴阳橘”是怎么回事？长得跟个篮球似的……能吃吗？

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses a unique phenomenon observed in oranges, where one orange appears to have distinct sections resembling a mini basketball, attributed to a biological occurrence known as "chimera" [6][10]. Group 1: Biological Phenomenon - The term "chimera" refers to a single organism composed of two or more different genotypes, originating from a genetic mutation during cell division [6][10]. - This specific case of a "basketball orange" is identified as a sectorial chimera, where a mutation affects multiple cell layers (L1, L2, and L3), leading to clear visual distinctions in color and texture [14][15]. - The mutation can result in different flavor profiles within the same fruit, as evidenced by a study showing that the mutated sections can lose certain chemical components and even develop new compounds [17]. Group 2: Implications for Breeding - While such chimeras are often discarded in orchards due to their unusual appearance, they present valuable opportunities for breeding new varieties [20]. - Historical examples of successful varieties, like the red-fleshed grapefruit, originated from spontaneous mutations similar to chimeras [22]. - Modern biotechnological methods allow for the isolation and cultivation of mutated cells, potentially leading to stable new cultivars with desirable traits [26].