Question

Differentiate between parthenocarpy and parthenogenesis.

Answer 1

Partheno means virgin. The process of parthenocarpy means formation of fruits without the process of fertilization. Usually, after the process of fertilization has taken place and male and female gametes fuse to form a zygote, ovaries turn into fruits and ovules into seeds. When ovaries form fruits without the process of fertilization, it is called parthenocarpy. Certain seedless oranges are parthenocarpic.

Genesis means synthesis or formation. In this process, embryo is synthesized from ovule, directly. It is not fertilized by male gametes. So, embryo is produced directly from ovule. Honey bees provide an example for parthenogenesis.