Question

An aggregate fruit is one which developed from
a. Multicarpellary syncarpous gynoecium
b. Multicarpellary apocarpous gynoecium
c. Complete inflorescence
d. Multicarpellary superior ovary

Answer 1

Hint: A fruitlet is formed when all carpel gets separated from each other in the apocarpous ovary. These Fruitlets are also called etaerio.

Complete answer:
In order to answer this question we need to have knowledge about simple, aggregate and composite fruits. To answer this question we need to have knowledge about the classification of fruits which is done on the basis of the arrangements from which they are derived, whether carpels present are free or fused, and if one or more than one flower takes part in fruit formation.

There are two categories of fruits:
1. Fleshy fruits: In this, pericarp and accessory parts develop into succulent tissues, as in blackberry, raspberry, oranges, etc.
2. Dry fruits: Fruits in which the pericarp becomes dry at maturity as in legumes, cereal grains, nuts etc.

Fleshy fruits are further subdivided into:
- Berries: In certain fruits entire pericarp and accessory parts are succulent tissue. Example-Tomatoes, cherries etc.
- Aggregate fruits are formed from single flowers with multiple pistils. They develop from multicarpellary apocarpous ovaries i.e., merger of ovaries that are separated in a single flower. An aggregate fruit consists of a mass of small drupes, developed from a separate ovary of a single flower. Example- blackberries and strawberries.
- Multiple fruits develop which develop from the mature ovaries of an entire inflorescence such as pineapples and mulberries. These fruits develop from ovaries of flowers growing in a cluster.
- A simple fruit develops from one ovary.
- Accessory fruits contain tissues derived from plant parts other than the ovary.

Therefore, the answer is b, multicarpellary apocarpous gynoecium!

Note: Some fruits such as strawberry are aggregate as well as accessory fruits. The small dark-coloured dots on a strawberry are ovaries and it’s juicy part grows from the base of the flower.