Question

The edible part of the orange is

• A. Aril
• B. Endocarp
• C. Mesocarp
• D. Placental hair

Answer 1

The correct option is D

Placental hair

The correct option is D.

Explanation of the correct option:

1. Orange is a type of hesperidium fruit.
2. Hesperidium is a modification of berry with a leathery hard pericarp, fibrous mesocarp and endocarp, and fleshy placental hairs.
3. The edible portion of orange is the endocarp which is divided into segments; the fibrous core part at the center and the outer membrane.
4. These segments mainly contain juice sacs.
5. The endocarp and mesocarp-derived juicy placental hairs are the edible portions of the orange.

Explanation of the incorrect option:

Option A:

1. Aril is not found in oranges.
2. They are a feature of litchi.

Option B:

1. Endocarp is the edible portion of the fruit that consists of individual segments, a central fibrous core, and segment walls or outer membrane.

Option C:

1. The middle layer is a fleshy, edible portion of the fruits.
2. Coconut is a drupe. The nature of mesocarp is fibrous in coconut

Final answer: The edible part of the orange is Placental hair.