Question

Dorsifixed, monothecous anthers are a special feature of
A. Malvaceae/Cotton.
B. Solanaceae/Tomato
C. Leguminosae/Pea
D. Liliaceae

Answer 1

Hint:-Anthers are the part of the male reproductive organ called the stamen of flowering plants. The collection of stamens in a flower of a flowering plant is termed as androecium. Each stamen consists of two major parts – a stalk-like structure called filament and a sac-like structure at the tip of the filament, called the anther.

Complete answer:
Anthers are pollen grains, the major male reproductive unit of flowering plants. They may typically contain one or two compartments called thecae. Each theca consists of two microsporangia which produce numerous pollen grains inside it. The thecae are interconnected by the connective tissue.
Based on the attachment of anthers to the filament, they are classified into four types –
- Basifixed, where the anther attaches its base to the apex of filament.
- Dorsifixed, where the anther attached dorsally and medially to the apex of the filament.
- Subbasifixed, in which the anther attaches an area near the base to the filament.
- Versatile, in which the anthers pivot along the filament freely, irrespective of being either basifixed, or dorsifixed, or subbasifixed.
The anthers that contain a single theca are known as monothecous and the anthers that consist of two thecae are known as dithecous.
The anthers of Malvaceae or Cotton are characterized by the presence of dorsifixed and monothecous anthers. Similarly, Solanaceae or tomato is characterized by the presence of dithecous and basifixed anthers. Dithecous and basifixed or dorsifixed anthers characterize the Leguminosae or pea plants. Lastly, dithecous, versatile, or basifixed anthers characterize Liliaceae or onion plants.
Thus, the right option is A.

Note:- Malvaceae, Solanaceae, Leguminosae, and Liliaceae are all families of plants bearing a group of similar plants. In Linnaean taxonomy, families secure a position amongst the eight major hierarchical taxonomic ranks. Family can be further divided into subfamily, a rank between family and genus. The names of different families originate from Latin.