Question

Identify the correct pair of statements.
(i) White kernel of Coconut is a free nuclear endosperm
(ii) In dioecious plants, autogamy is prevented but geitonogamy occurs
(iii) Cleistogamous flowers are always self pollinated
(iv) Castor is an endospermic seed.

• A. i, ii
• B. iii, iv
• C. ii, iv
• D. ii, iii

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

iii, iv

•Coconut has free nuclear endosperm. During the development of a nuclear type of endosperm, the primary endosperm mother cell divides by free nuclear divisions, and these divisions are not followed by cell wall formation. Thus, the free nuclei remain in the cytoplasm of the embryo sac. These nuclei now arrange themselves towards the periphery of the embryo sac and centripetal wall formation occurs that finally leads to a cellular type of endosperm. Thus, the kernel of coconut is cellular endosperm.

•Dioecious plants have unisexual male and female flowers on different plants i.e. a plant may have either male flowers or female flowers but not both. Dioecious plants prevent Autogamy which is the transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma of the same flower, as only unisexual flowers are there. Also, Geitonogamy which is the transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma of another flower on the same plant is prevented because male and female flowers are not present on the same plant.

•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.

•Castor is an endospermic seed in which endosperm is not fully consumed by the growing embryo and it is persistent in the seed.

Hence, from all the statements given in the question, statements (iii) and (iv) are correct.

So, the correct answer is B.