Question

Refer to the transverse section of the ovary of mustard plant. Identify X and Y in it.

A) Seed, locule
B) Pericarp, Seed
C) Seed, Pericarp
D) Placenta, Seed

Answer 1

Hint: Ovary is the female reproductive part of the flower which after fertilisation develops into a fruit. The ovules mature as seeds which are enclosed inside the fruit. The fruit is enclosed by a layer which encloses the seed.

Complete answer:
To answer this question, we must know about the ovaries of mustard plants. Mustard belongs to the family Brassicaceae which have a characteristic superior ovary. The fruit of mustard is called siliques which are capsule-like fruit. The fruits are formed from an ovary and two fused carpels. As the fruit matures, the outer wall of the fruit or the pericarp breaks as two valves which leaves a septum through which the seeds are attached.

In the given figure, the X is the seed which is attached to the outer wall of the fruit called the pericarp (Y). The pericarp is the outer layer of the fruit which is formed from the wall of the ovary. The pericarp surrounds the seed and is protective in nature. The pericarp is made up of three layers and is mostly edible in case of fleshy fruits.

Locule- is the chamber inside the ovary. The locules contain ovules or the seed. In case of mustard, two locules are present.

Placenta- The surface of the carpel to which the seeds or the ovules attach is known as placenta. In case of mustard, placenta is present marginally which is attached to the ovules.

Thus, the correct answer is option ‘C’.

Note: Mustard belongs to family Brassicaceae. The flowers have swollen thalamus on which the ovary is attached. The ovary is superior. These flowers are known as hypogynous.