NEETBotanyPlant Kingdom
A botanist discovers a tall woody plant that produces viable seeds but never forms any fruits. Which of the following accurately describes the condition of the ovules in this plant?
Options
- AOvules are not enclosed by any ovary wall and remain exposed both before and after fertilization.
- BOvules are enclosed by an ovary wall before fertilization but become exposed after.
- COvules are enclosed within a distinct ovary wall throughout their development.
- DOvules are completely absent and the plant directly forms naked embryos.
Correct answer
A. Ovules are not enclosed by any ovary wall and remain exposed both before and after fertilization.
Step-by-step solution
A plant that produces seeds but lacks fruit formation is a gymnosperm. By definition, gymnosperms are plants in which the ovules are not enclosed by any ovary wall and remain exposed, both before and after fertilization. Because there is no ovary, no fruit is formed. Angiosperms have ovules enclosed within an ovary wall which later develops into a fruit. Lower plants like bryophytes and pteridophytes do not produce ovules or seeds at all. Answer: Ovules are not enclosed by any ovary wall and remain exposed both bef