Question

The characters of gymnosperms are
A. Seeds are naked
B. Fruits are absent
C. True carpel absent
D. All of the above

Answer 1

Hint: The seeds in Gymnosperms are in non-encased condition i.e. the seeds are not enclosed within an ovary in contrast to the seeds and ovules present in the angiosperms or flowering plants. In angiosperms, the seeds develop from the ovules. The ovaries present in flowering plants develop into fruits. Gymnosperms do not contain ovaries.

Complete answer:
The gymnosperms are also called Acrogymnospermae. These are a group of plants that produce seeds. These include conifers, cycads, Ginkgo, and gnetophytes. The word "gymnosperm" is derived from the amalgamation of two Greek words: gymnos which means ‘naked' and sperma which means 'seed', so the word in whole means "naked seeds".
-Gymnosperms are the first plants in evolution to contain seeds. These plants are frequently denoted as containing naked seeds as they do not bear flowers and the seeds develop on the surface of reproductive organs of the plants. Ovaries are absent in gymnosperms. The seeds are usually found on the surface of the cones and the short stalks.
Some unique characteristics of Gymnosperms are listed below:
1. Seeds do not contain an outer covering or a shell or a coat around the seeds.
2. These plants do not produce any flowers.
3. These plants do not produce any fruits.
4. These are pollinated by anemophily i.e. by the wind.
5. Gymnosperms do not contain folded and marginally-sealed carpels.
So, the correct answer is option D.

Additional Information:
The largest group by far of the existing gymnosperms are the conifers which include pines, cypresses, and relatives, and the cycads, gnetophytes (including the Gnetum, the Ephedra, and the Welwitschia), and Ginkgo biloba which is a single living species.

Note: A few genera of Gymnosperms contain mycorrhiza. The mycorrhiza is the fungal associations of the plant-like Pinus with the roots. Though in some other Gymnosperms like Cycas, there are some small and specialized roots present which are known as coralloid roots. These roots are associated with nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria or blue-green algae.