NEETBotanySexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants
Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): Plants using abiotic pollinating agents like wind produce enormous amounts of pollen grains compared to the number of ovules available for pollination. Reason (R): Pollen grains in wind-pollinated plants are heavy and sticky to ensure they successfully adhere to the stigma after being blown by the
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
C. (A) is correct but (R) is not correct
Step-by-step solution
The Assertion is correct because pollination by abiotic agents (wind and water) is a chance event, leading to a massive loss of pollen grains. To compensate for this uncertainty, these flowers produce an enormous amount of pollen compared to the number of ovules. The Reason is incorrect because pollen grains in wind-pollinated plants must be light and non-sticky so that they can be easily transported in wind currents. Heavy and sticky pollen grains are characteristic of insect-pollinated flowers. Answer: (A) is cor