Question

Cycas is
(a) Monoecious
(b) Bisexual
(c) Dioecious
(d) Hermaphrodite

Answer 1

Hint: Monoecious is the term used for those living beings that have both male and female reproductive parts in the same organism. Bisexual and hermaphrodite can also be used instead of monoecious. Example- the cockroach. The term dioecious is used for organisms that have male and female sex organs in male and female organisms respectively.

Complete Step by Step Answer:
Cycas is a gymnosperm plant and belongs to the Cycadaceae family. It has unbranched stems. It has small specialized roots called coralloid roots which have an association with the nitrogen- fixing cyanobacteria. It has pinnate shaped leaves which persist on it for a few years. The male and female cones or strobili are present on different trees hence, it is a dioecious plant.
Monoecious or bisexual example of gymnosperm includes Pinus.

Additional information:
Let us know more about the reproductive structures of gymnosperms.
The gymnosperms produce two types of spores and hence are known as heterosporous plants. The two types of spores are microspores and microspores which are borne on microsporophylls and megasporophylls respectively.
The cones bearing microsporophylls are known as microsporangiate or male strobili and the cones bearing megasporophylls are known as microsporangiate or female strobili.
The microspores germinate to give rise to a highly reduced male gametophyte known as pollen grain and the macrospores germinate to give the female gametophyte which is retained with the microsporangium.
So, the correct option is ‘(c) Dioecious’

Note:
- Gymnosperms are plants that have naked seeds i.e. the ovules are not enclosed by any ovary wall both before and after fertilization.
- The leaves of gymnosperms are needle- haped, have a thick cuticle and sunken stomata to help reduce water loss.
- Gymnosperms are well adapted to withstand extreme temperature, humidity, and wind.