Question

Assertion- The female cones are the same in number as male cones.
Reason- Male and female cones appear alternately on the same branch of Pinus.
(A). If both the assertion and reason are true and the reason is a correct explanation of the assertion.
(B). If both the assertion and reason are true and the reason is not a correct explanation of the assertion.
(C). If the assertion is true but the reason is false.
(D). If both the assertion and reason are false.

Answer 1

Hint: Pinus belongs to the family Pinaceae in the order Coniferales. They possess special types of leaves that are needle-like in structure. This is why it is called conifers. They are evergreen and perennial in structure.

Complete answer:
Let’s discuss the question and find the correct answer.
-Pinus cones are the strobilus i.e. a plant organ. Here each scale is defined as a plate of cones. There are two types of cones found in Pinus. These are male cones and female cones.
-Male cones are also known as pollen cones or microstrobilus. They differ slightly in different species. It extends out from an aerial or central axis that are known as microsporophylls. Microsporangia or pollen sac is present in each microsporophyll.
-Female cone is also known as ovulate cone or megastrobilus. Ovule is present in each cone. After fertilization ovule forms seed by the action of pollen. They are generally smaller than the male cone.
Hence option D: If both the assertion and reason are false is the correct answer.

Note: There are several other species that belong to the family Pinaceae and each of that show these types of cones take a clear idea about other examples also.