Question

Edible part in the fruit of litchi is:
A) Mesocarp
B) Aril
C) Fleshy thalamus
D) Cotyledons

Answer 1

Hint: Flowers are the reproductive unit of a plant and fruits are the outcome of the reproduction. Fruit is the seed-bearing structure present in flowering plants.

Complete answer:
Aril is the accessory covering of certain seeds that commonly develops from the seed stalk. It is found in both angiosperms and gymnosperms. It is often a bright-colored fleshy envelope.
Let’s discuss the given options and find the correct answer:
>Option A: It is the middle layer of the pericarp of a fruit. It is rich in fatty acids, amino acids, and vitamins. It is responsible for the color of both ripe and unripe fruits. The cells of the mesocarp contain plastids, which in the unripe fruit usually contain chlorophyll. For e.g., in mango, the mesocarp is the edible part. Therefore this is an incorrect option.
>Option B: The fleshy edible part of litchi is that fleshy plant structure that may be a modification of the outer layer of the episperm referred to as episperm. The fleshy edible part of litchi is the fleshy aril which is a modification of the outer layer of the seed coat known as a testa. The outer covering is made of pericarp and the thalamus is not involved in the formation of fruit. Therefore this is the correct option.
>Option C: Fleshy thalamus is a simple, fleshy but false fruit as it is surrounded by fleshy thalamus which is edible while actual fruit lies within, e.g., apple, pear, loquat, etc. Therefore this is an incorrect option.
>Option D: Cotyledons are the edible part in walnut and cashew nuts. Therefore this is an incorrect option.

Thus, the correct answer is option (B) Aril.

Note:There are different types of fruits depending on the number of ovary and flowers involved in fruit formation,
>Simple fruits - They are matured from a single mature ovary in a single flower.
>Composite fruits - They are developed from complete inflorescence and are also known as multiple fruits.
>Aggregate fruits - They develop from many matured ovaries in a single flower.