Question

Edible part of Banana
A. Epicarp
B. Mesocarp and less developed endocarp
C. Endocarp and less developed mesocarp
D. Epicarp and mesocarp

Answer 1

Hint: Banana is a fruit which is produced by large herbaceous flowering plants that belongs to the genus Musa. Most of the different species of bananas are derived from two wild species of bananas which are Musa acuminate and Musa balbisiana. It is native to tropical Indomalaya and Australia.

Complete answer:
The different parts of a banana plant grows from a structure which is known as a corm. Plants are tall and fairly sturdy and the trunk is actually a false stem known as the pseudo stem. Upon maturity, the plant stops producing leaves and begins to give off flower spikes or inflorescence. The inflorescence contains many bracts or petals which are present between the rows of flowers. The ovary is an inferior type and the female flowers are situated upper in the stem and closer to the leaves from the rows of male flowers.

The fruit develops in the hanging cluster which is known as the bunch. The fruit of the plant is leathery in nature and is known as banana. It bears an outer protective layer, known as the peel or skin. The peel contains many numerous long, thin string-like structures called phloem bundles. The phloem bundle runs lengthwise and is present in between the skin and the edible portion of the fruit.

The edible portion of the fruit can be divided lengthwise into three sections. The three sections correspond to the three carpels. The edible portion of bananas can be divided into three distinct parts, these are the exocarp, mesocarp and the endocarp. The exocarp is the most outer portion of the fruit. It is commonly referred to as the skin or covering of the fruit. The next part is the mesocarp. The mesocarp is the middle part of the banana fruit. The mesocarp extends up to the innermost portion of the fruit which is called the endocarp. The endocarp is the portion which is eaten. The endocarp is the innermost part of the fruit and it bears seeds. These seeds sometimes may be reduced to tiny black specks.

Hence, the correct answer is option (C).

Note: Banana is a type of berry and is an oblong, yellow and edible fruit. It is elongated and curved and has a soft flesh that is covered by a rind or an outer skin. The flesh is rich in starch and is the edible portion of banana. The innermost part of the fruit is the endocarp, which may or may not contain seeds. Mesocarp is reduced and less developed.