Question

What is the difference between acropetal and basipetal order?

Answer 1

Hint: A cluster of flowers grouped on a stem is known as an inflorescence. Racemose and cymose inflorescences are two different forms of inflorescence. Flowers in a racemose inflorescence are placed acropetally. In acropetal order, young flowers appear at the apex of the inflorescence, while older flowers appear towards the base. Flowers in a cymose inflorescence are placed in a basipetal order. Older flowers are at the apex of the basipetal order, while younger flowers are towards the base.

Complete solution:-

The main difference between acropetal and basipetal order is that new flowers appear at the apex of the inflorescence in acropetal order, whereas new blooms appear at the base or bottom of the inflorescence in basipetal order.

The arrangement of older flowers at the base of the inflorescence while new flowers emerge at the apex is known as acropetal order. As a result, fresh flowers and buds can be seen at the inflorescence's peak. Furthermore, younger flowers are found near the centre of the inflorescence, whereas older flowers are found on the periphery. In racemose inflorescences, flower production is indefinite or unrestrained. This is due to the fact that the primary axis is still growing.

Acropetal Order	Basipetal Order
Acropetal order is the arrangement of flowers in a way that new flowers are at the apex and older flowers are at the base.	Basipetal order is the flower arrangement in which older flowers are present at the apex while new flowers are present at the base
Younger flowers are present at the apex. The reverse of acropetal order is a basipetal order. The older blooms are found in the centre, while the newer blossoms are found in the periphery. Basipetal order can be seen in the cymose inflorescence	Younger flowers are present at the base. In biparous and multiparous cymose inflorescences, basipetal order is readily discernible.
Older flowers are present at the base	Older flowers are present at the top
Racemose inflorescence has acropetal order	Cymose inflorescence has basipetal order
Indefinite or unrestricted	Definite or restricted
Continues to grow	Limited in growth

Note:
 Inflorescences are divided into two types: racemose and cymose. Flowers in a racemose inflorescence are placed acropetally. New flowers bloom at the apex, while older flowers bloom at the base, in acropetal order. Flowers in a cymose inflorescence, on the other hand, are placed in a basipetal order. Acropetal order is the polar opposite of basipetal order. The main axis of the inflorescence ends with a flower in basipetal order. At the apex, older blooms can be found, while at the base, new blossoms can be found. The distinction between acropetal and basipetal order is thus summarised.