Question

Advantage of cleistogamy is
A. Higher genetic variability.
B. More vigorous offspring.
C. No dependence on pollinators.
D. Vivipary

Answer 1

Hint: In flowering plants, male and female gametes are produced in the pollen grain and embryo sac respectively. These gametes are non-motile, that is do not move, therefore, they have to be brought together for fertilisation. Pollination is the mechanism to get the result of this objective. The transfer of pollen grains to the stigma is called pollination.

Complete answer:
Cleistogamy: A type of condition in which the flower does not open. In such flowers, the anthers and stigma are very close to each other. When anther dehisce in the flower buds, pollen grains come in contact with stigma to affect pollination. Some plants such as Viola (common pansy), Oxalis and Commelina help to give rise to both types of flowers, i.e., open flowers (chasmogamous) and closed flowers (cleistogamous).
Advantage of Cleistogamy :
> It makes sure seed formation even in the absence of any pollinating agent.
> It is cheaper for the plant as there is no costly nectar or fragrance which the plant has to produce for pollination.
Now let us match this with given options:-
> Higher genetic variability:- genetic variations arise in the case of sexual reproduction and in cross pollination as characters will show recombination and mutation over time and during DNA copying variations can arise.
> More vigorous offspring :- more vigorous offspring are produced in the case of geitonogamy in which transfer of pollen occurs from anther to stigma of another flower of the same plant, so it produces different organisms.
> No dependence on pollinators :- it is kind of self pollination. In these kinds of flowers, the anthers and stigma lie close to each other. When anther dehisce in the flower buds, pollen grains come in contact with stigma to affect pollination. So they do not require pollinators.
> Vivipary :- the young ones are not directly produced from such kinds of pollinations. It only occurs in the case of mammals. Plants reproduce by means of seed formation.

Our required option is C that is no dependence on pollinators.

Note: Some advantages of cleistogamy include the individual produced have limited genetic variability. Cleistogamy is an adaptation seen in self pollination. The other adaptation includes bisexuality that is both the essential whorls are present in the same flower.