Question

What happens to the following after fertilization?
Calyx

Answer 1

Hint: When egg and sperm fuses, fertilization takes place. Post fertilization, the ovule develops into seed. A small underdeveloped plant is present inside the ovule. Calyx is one of the parts of a plant, which supports plants. It contains sepals, which whorl around the flower. After the fertilization process is over, the calyx falls off. Petals of the flower also fall off and the ovary containing the seed forms a fruit. Stamen dries after fertilization.

Complete answer:
Calyx is a part of a flower, which is attached to the stem. Petals grow inside the calyx. It also has sepals, which protects the flower by whirling. During the bud stage, calyx gives protection from injury.
After fertilization, most of the time, the calyx falls as its purpose of protection of the flower and its reproductive parts is over. If the calyx does not fall off, it dries or becomes wrinkled and shrunken by staying intact. Hence, petals also shed and fall off.
In addition to calyx, corolla also falls off after fertilization. Style and stigma also fall off. Ovary becomes enlarged, forming a fruit. The wall of the ovary becomes the wall of the fruit. There is formation of fleshy fruit walls or hard and dry fruit walls. Ovules carry on to become seeds. The central part of the flower becomes fruit and the surrounding parts fall off.

Note:
In some plants, sepals are present persistently. As the fruit and seed ripens, sepals brighten and reveal a lovely show. In a few plants, they swell and fuse with the flesh of the fruit. Examples are brinjal and tomato. Style, stigma and stamen dry and fall off. In monocot herbaceous plants, calyx and corolla (perianth) continue to exist and aid in dispersal of seeds.