NEETBotanySexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants
Identify the incorrect statement regarding the morphological equivalence of floral parts and vegetative shoots:
Options
- AThe thalamus represents a condensed axis possessing nodes and internodes.
- BSuccessive nodes on the floral axis produce different floral appendages laterally instead of leaves.
- CMorphologically, floral appendages such as sepals and petals are considered modified leaves.
- DThe floral meristem exhibits indeterminate growth similar to a vegetative shoot apical meristem.
Correct answer
D. The floral meristem exhibits indeterminate growth similar to a vegetative shoot apical meristem.
Step-by-step solution
A flower is morphologically a highly modified shoot. The thalamus (or receptacle) is the condensed vegetative axis, which possesses nodes and highly condensed internodes. Thus, the first statement is correct. At these successive nodes, the apex produces different floral appendages laterally instead of leaves, making the appendages morphologically homologous to leaves. Thus, the second and third statements are correct. When a shoot tip transforms into a flower, the meristem is consumed in the formation of floral par