The mule is a

Options

A. sterile male
B. fertile male
C. sterile female
D. fertile female

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Origin of Mules:**
- Mules are hybrids resulting from the crossbreeding of a male donkey (jack) and a female horse (mare).

2. **Chromosome Count:**
- Horses typically have 64 chromosomes.
- Donkeys have 62 chromosomes.
- When a horse and a donkey breed, the resulting mule has 63 chromosomes.

3. **Reproductive Capability:**
- Despite having a mixed chromosome count, mules are known to be sterile. This means they cannot reproduce.

4. **Identifying the Correct Answer:**
- Since mules can be either male or female but are always sterile, the correct answers to the question "The mule is a" would be:
- Sterile male
- Sterile female

5. **Conclusion:**
- Therefore, the mule is classified as a sterile organism, regardless of its sex.

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