Question

Dry fruit that breaks up into single-seeded parts is
(a) Achenial
(b) Capsular
(c) Schizocarpic
(d) Etaerio of achenes

Answer 1

Hint: A fruit develops from a fertilized ovary where the seeds are fertilized. The fruits are further divided into simple, aggregate, and composite based on the number and type of ovary. The Dry fruit that breaks up into single-seeded parts is also known as splitting fruits and it is a subtype of a simple fruit.

Complete answer:
On the basis of whether the pericarp is fleshy or dry, a simple fruit is succulent or dry respectively. Dry fruits are further divided into achenial, capsular, and schizocarpic.
A schizocarpic fruit is a subtype of dry fruit that is many-seeded. Upon maturity, they break up into many single-seeded parts which may be indehiscent or dehiscent. Each indehiscent single-seeded part is known as mericarps while each dehiscent single-seeded part is known as coccus. E.g. Groundnut, Fennel.

Additional Information: -A simple fruit develops from a single pistil or carpel while an aggregate fruit is the product of flower-bearing polycarpellary apocarpous pistils. When a whole inflorescence gives birth to fruit, it is known as a composite fruit.
-A fruit that is indehiscent and dry while bearing a single seed is termed as achenial fruits.
-The nut is one of its types wherein the fruit wall can be woody or sometimes leathery. E.g. Cashewnut.
-Capsular is a subtype of simple fruit with dry pericarp. It consists of many-seeded, dehiscent fruits. Upon maturity, the pericarp splits to expose the seeds. E.g. Pea.
- Etaerio of achenes is an aggregate fruit characterized by a number of individual fruitlets that are themselves achenes i.e dry, indehiscent and single-seeded. E.g. Buttercup or Ranunculus.
So, the correct answer is ‘Schizocarpic.’

Note: -Caryopsis is also a type of achenial fruit in which there is a thin dry pericarp completely fused with the wall of seed or testa. Such types of fruits may develop from monocarpellary superior and unilocular ovary. E.g. Maize, Wheat.
-If the fruit wall is attached to the seed at one point, then such achenial fruits are known as cypsela. They develop from an inferior and unilocular ovary. E.g. Dandelion.