NEET2026BiologyChapterActual
Which of the following statements correctly describes the pollination mechanism in seagrasses like Zostera ?
Options
- AFemale flowers reach the surface of water by a long stalk and pollen grains are released on the surface.
- BPollen grains are light, non-sticky, and are carried by wind currents to the submerged female flowers.
- CFemale flowers remain submerged in water and long, ribbon-like pollen grains are carried passively inside the
- DFlowers produce enormous amounts of nectar to attract aquatic insects for pollination.
Correct answer
C. Female flowers remain submerged in water and long, ribbon-like pollen grains are carried passively inside the
Step-by-step solution
In seagrasses such as Zostera , pollination occurs entirely underwater, a process known as hypohydrophily. The female flowers remain submerged in water. The pollen grains are long and ribbon-like, lacking an exine, and have a specific gravity similar to that of water. This allows them to be carried passively by water currents to reach the stigma of the submerged female flowers. Option (A) describes the pollination mechanism in Vallisneria (epihydrophily). Option (B) describes wind pollination (anemophily). Option (