Seed and Fruit Questions in English

(N/A) Fertilisation is the process of the fusion of male and female gametes to form a diploid zygote. After fertilisation,the following changes occur in a flower:
$1$. The zygote is formed inside the ovule and develops into the embryo.
$2$. The ovules develop into the seeds.
$3$. The ovary develops into the fruit.
$4$. The ovary wall is transformed into a protective layer called the pericarp.

(B) false fruit is a fruit in which some part of the plant other than the ovary contributes to the formation of the fruit.
In the given figure,which represents an apple,the edible part is the fleshy thalamus.
Label $C$ points to the thalamus,which develops into the fleshy part of the fruit,making it a false fruit.
Therefore,the correct option is $B$.

(A) In the life cycle of seed-bearing plants (Gymnosperms and Angiosperms),the megasporangium is also known as the ovule.
After the process of fertilization,the ovule undergoes developmental changes and matures into a seed.
Therefore,the megasporangium transforms into a seed.

(B) In flowering plants,after fertilization,the ovary matures into a fruit,while the ovules develop into seeds. Therefore,the fruit is derived from the ovary.

(C) The process of fruit development without fertilization is called $Parthenocarpy$.
Fruits formed through this process are known as $Parthenocarpic$ $fruits$.
These fruits are typically seedless,such as bananas.
$True$ $fruits$ develop from the ovary after fertilization,while $False$ $fruits$ develop from other floral parts like the thalamus.

(A) Seeds are classified into two types based on the presence or absence of endosperm:
$1$. Non-endospermic (Exalbuminous) seeds: In these seeds,the endosperm is completely consumed by the developing embryo during seed maturation. Examples include Bean,Gram,Pea,and Orchid.
$2$. Endospermic (Albuminous) seeds: In these seeds,a part of the endosperm is retained in the mature seed. Examples include Castor,Maize,Wheat,and Sunflower.
Therefore,the correct classification is: Non-endospermic seeds (Bean,Gram,Pea,Orchid) and Endospermic seeds (Castor,Maize).

(B) In many organisms,especially those that lay eggs (oviparous),the development of the zygote occurs outside the female body.
In oviparous animals like reptiles and birds,the fertilized eggs are covered by hard calcareous shells and are laid in a safe place in the environment.
After a period of incubation,young ones hatch out.
In contrast,in viviparous animals,the zygote develops into a young one inside the female body.

(A) Albuminous (endospermic) seeds are those in which the endosperm is retained in the mature seed to provide nourishment to the developing embryo.
Examples from the list include: Castor $(I)$,Coconut $(II)$,Wheat $(III)$,Rice $(IV)$,and Maize $(V)$.
Ex-albuminous (non-endospermic) seeds are those in which the endosperm is completely consumed by the developing embryo before seed maturation.
Examples from the list include: Groundnut $(VI)$,Bean $(VII)$,and Pea $(VIII)$.
Therefore,the correct classification is: Albuminous seeds $(I, II, III, IV, V)$ and Ex-albuminous seeds $(VI, VII, VIII)$.

(A) In angiosperms,after the process of double fertilization,the ovule undergoes significant developmental changes to become a seed.
$1$. The zygote develops into an embryo.
$2$. The primary endosperm nucleus develops into the endosperm.
$3$. The integuments of the ovule harden to form the seed coat.
Therefore,a seed is essentially a matured or fertilized ovule.

(C) In most flowering plants, the nucellus is completely consumed by the developing embryo. However, in some species like black pepper $(Piper \text{ } nigrum)$ and beet $(Beta \text{ } vulgaris)$, a portion of the nucellus remains persistent in the seed. This residual, persistent nucellus is known as the perisperm.

(C) The image shows an apple and a strawberry. In these fruits,the thalamus (floral part) contributes to fruit formation along with the ovary. Such fruits are known as false fruits or pseudocarps. Therefore,the correct option is $C$.

(D) false fruit (or pseudocarp) is a fruit derived from parts of the flower other than the ovary,such as the thalamus or receptacle.
In apples,strawberries,and cashews,the thalamus contributes to fruit formation.
Therefore,all the given options are examples of false fruits.

(C) fruit that develops from the ovary without the process of fertilization is known as a $Parthenocarpic$ fruit.
In this process,the ovary transforms into a fruit without the formation of seeds.
Examples include bananas and grapes.
Therefore,the correct option is $C$.

(A) The oldest viable seed known is $Lupinus arcticus$ (Arctic lupine). It was excavated from Arctic tundra and germinated after an estimated dormancy period of $10,000$ years. In contrast,the seed of $Phoenix dactylifera$ (date palm) is known for its viability of $2,000$ years,discovered during the archaeological excavation of King Herod's palace near the Dead Sea.

(C) The date palm $(Phoenix dactylifera)$ seed discovered at the King Herod's palace near the Dead Sea is estimated to be approximately $2000$ years old.
This seed remained viable despite its extreme age, which is a remarkable example of seed longevity in plants.

(C) In most flowering plants,the nucellus is completely consumed during the development of the embryo.
However,in some seeds such as beet and black pepper,a part of the nucellus remains persistent.
This residual,persistent nucellus is known as the perisperm.

(A) The correct matches are as follows:
$A.$ Scutellum is the single large cotyledon of a monocot seed, which is shield-shaped. Thus, $A-II$.
$B.$ Non-albuminous seeds (ex-albuminous) are those in which the endosperm is completely consumed during embryo development, such as in groundnut or pea. Thus, $B-III$.
$C.$ Epiblast is a small, rudimentary, scale-like structure found in some monocot embryos (like grasses) opposite to the scutellum. Thus, $C-IV$.
$D.$ Perisperm is the persistent, remnant nucellus found in some seeds like black pepper and beet. Thus, $D-I$.
Therefore, the correct sequence is $A-II, B-III, C-IV, D-I$.

(B) Seeds are classified into two types based on the presence or absence of endosperm: endospermic (albuminous) and non-endospermic (exalbuminous).
In non-endospermic seeds,the endosperm is completely consumed by the developing embryo during seed maturation.
Examples of non-endospermic seeds include pea,bean,groundnut,and orchid.
In contrast,rice,maize,and wheat are examples of endospermic seeds where the endosperm persists in the mature seed to provide nourishment during germination.
Therefore,among the given options,orchid is a non-endospermic seed.

(C) In some seeds,such as black pepper and beet,the nucellus is not completely consumed during the development of the embryo.
This persistent,residual,diploid $(2n)$ nucellus is known as the perisperm.
Therefore,perisperm is the remains of the nucellus.

(D) In most flowering plants,the nucellus is consumed during the development of the embryo. However,in some seeds such as black pepper and beet,a portion of the nucellus remains as a nutritive tissue. This residual,persistent nucellus is known as the perisperm.

(D) In the plant kingdom,some parasitic plants like $Orobanche$ and $Striga$ produce a large number of tiny seeds within each fruit. This is an adaptation to ensure the survival of the species,as these seeds have a very low probability of finding a suitable host plant to germinate and establish themselves. Orchids also produce thousands of tiny seeds,but they are not parasitic. Therefore,the correct pair of parasitic plants mentioned in the context of having thousands of tiny seeds is $Orobanche$ and $Striga$.

(A) Statement-$I$ is correct because seeds are formed through the fusion of male and female gametes during sexual reproduction,which involves meiosis and recombination,leading to new genetic combinations and variations in the offspring.
Statement-$II$ is correct because seeds are the final product of sexual reproduction in flowering plants,resulting from the fertilization of an ovule by a pollen grain.

(D) The seed of $Lupinus \text{ } arcticus$ (Arctic lupine) was found in the Arctic Tundra.
It is a well-documented example of extreme seed dormancy in plants.
This seed germinated and flowered after an estimated dormancy period of $10000$ years.
Therefore, the correct option is $D$.

(C) The micropyle is a small pore present in the seed coat. During seed germination,the micropyle facilitates the entry of water and oxygen into the seed. This water absorption is essential for the activation of metabolic processes and the emergence of the radicle. While the micropyle serves as the entry point for the pollen tube during fertilization in the ovule,in the context of a mature seed,its primary function is the imbibition of water.

(B) In monocot seeds,the plumule is enclosed in a protective sheath called the coleoptile,while the radicle is enclosed in an undifferentiated protective sheath known as the coleorhiza.

(B) The correct answer is $B$. Coconut is an endospermic (albuminous) seed,meaning it retains endosperm at maturity. Therefore,the statement that 'Coconut is a non-endospermic seed' is incorrect. The micropyle often persists as a small pore in the seed coat. Fruit development is indeed stimulated by hormones like auxins and gibberellins produced by the developing seeds.

(C) In plants, the process of fertilization triggers significant growth in the ovary to develop into a fruit.
Specifically, in the case of watermelon $(Citrullus \text{ } lanatus)$, the ovary undergoes rapid cell division and expansion.
Scientific studies and textbook data indicate that the ovary of a watermelon increases in volume by approximately $3,00,000$ times after fertilization to reach its mature fruit size.
Therefore, the correct option is $C$.

(B) During seed germination,the $Micropyle$ is a small pore present on the seed coat. It serves as the entry point for water and oxygen,which are essential for the metabolic activities of the embryo to resume growth. Therefore,the correct option is $B$.

(A) Parthenocarpy is the development of fruit without fertilization. In such fruits, the ovary develops into a fruit without the formation of seeds. $Banana$ is a classic example of a naturally occurring parthenocarpic fruit, as it is seedless and develops without fertilization.

(C) In some seeds, such as black pepper $(Piper \text{ } nigrum)$ and beet $(Beta \text{ } vulgaris)$, the nucellus is not completely consumed during the development of the embryo. The persistent, residual nucellus is known as the perisperm. Therefore, the correct answer is black pepper and beet.

(C) In most plants,the fruit develops only from the ovary,and other floral parts degenerate and fall off. Such fruits are called true fruits. However,in some species like apple,strawberry,and cashew,the thalamus also contributes to fruit formation. Such fruits are called false fruits or accessory fruits. Therefore,the correct answer is $C$ (Strawberry).

(A) The residual,persistent nucellus in a seed is known as $Perisperm$.
In some seeds,such as those of black pepper and beet,the nucellus is not completely consumed during the development of the embryo and remains as a nutritive tissue surrounding the embryo.
$Pericarp$ is the wall of the fruit developed from the ovary wall.
$Coleorrhiza$ and $Coleoptile$ are protective sheaths found in monocot embryos.

(B) After fertilization in angiosperms,the ovule undergoes significant developmental changes. The integuments of the ovule harden to form the seed coat,and the entire ovule matures into a seed. Meanwhile,the ovary develops into the fruit.

(D) The correct answer is $D$.
$Phoenix \ dactylifera$ (Date Palm) is the plant whose seeds were found to be viable after $2000$ years.
These seeds were discovered during an archaeological excavation at King Herod's palace near the Dead Sea.

(A) The seed coat is the outermost protective covering of a seed.
It is derived from the integuments of the ovule after fertilization.
The outer layer is known as the $Testa$,which develops from the outer integument.
The inner layer is known as the $Tegmen$,which develops from the inner integument.
Therefore,both $Testa$ and $Tegmen$ represent the dried integuments of the ovule.

(C) $Phoenix$ $dactylifera$.
$A$ recent record of a $2000$ year old viable seed is that of the date palm,$Phoenix$ $dactylifera$,which was discovered during the archaeological excavation at King Herod's palace near the Dead Sea.

(A) The provided diagram represents the structure of a monocot seed (specifically a maize grain).
$1$. '$X$' points to the outermost layer,which is the Pericarp (fused with the seed coat).
$2$. '$Y$' points to the large,nutrient-rich storage tissue known as the Endosperm.
$3$. '$Z$' points to the shield-shaped cotyledon,which is characteristic of monocots and is called the Scutellum.
Therefore,the correct identification is $X$ - Pericarp,$Y$ - Endosperm,and $Z$ - Scutellum.