Question

An advantage of cleistogamy is

• A. It leads to greater genetic diversity.
• B. Seed dispersal is more efficient and wide spread.
• C. Each visit of pollinator brings hundreds of pollen grains.
• D. Seed set is not dependent upon pollinators.

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Seed set is not dependent upon pollinators.

Cleistogamy is the phenomenon, where flowers never open and in such flowers, only self-pollination occurs within the bud (unopened flower). Bisexual flowers which do not open at all are called cleistogamous. In such flowers, anthers and stigma lie close to each other. When the anthers dehisce in the flower buds, pollen grains come in contact with the stigma and pollination occurs. Cleistogamous flowers are not dependent on external agencies for pollination. Hence, seed setting is not dependent on pollinators and will occur even in the absence of pollinators.

So, the correct answer is D.