NEETBotanyMorphology of Flowering Plants
Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): In a cymose inflorescence, the youngest flowers or buds are present at the apex of the main axis. Reason (R): The main axis in a cymose inflorescence terminates in a flower, limiting its further growth. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given
Options
- ABoth (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
- BBoth (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
- C(A) is correct but (R) is not correct
- D(A) is not correct but (R) is correct
Correct answer
D. (A) is not correct but (R) is correct
Step-by-step solution
The Assertion (A) is not correct. In a cymose inflorescence, the flowers are borne in a basipetal order. This means that the oldest flower is present at the apex and the younger flowers or buds are present towards the base. The Reason (R) is correct. The main axis in a cymose inflorescence terminates in a flower, which limits its further growth. This early termination of the main axis is the reason why subsequent younger flowers arise laterally below it, resulting in the basipetal succession. Answer: (A) is not cor