Question

The edible part of fig is
A. Receptacle
B. Juicy hair
C. Endocarp
D. Epicarp

Answer 1

Hint: The edible part of any fruit is the portion that is eaten by animals and humans. The edible parts of all the fruits are different. In the case of true fruits, the ovary is edible. Whereas, in the case of the false fruit, the modified parts of the flower are edible.

Complete answer: Commonly known Fig is biologically known as Ficus. Fig is a syconus fruit. In syconus fruits, the receptacle is the edible part. A syconus is developed from the syconium which is a hypanthodium type of inflorescence. The hypanthodium inflorescence is formed by a fleshy, enlarged, and hollow receptacle. This hollow receptacle consists of multiple ovaries that are present on the inside surface of the fruit. In simple words, a hypanthodium inflorescence can be defined as a fleshy stem that has several numbers of flowers on it. Due to this reason, it is considered as both an accessory fruit and multiple fruits. In the case of Figs, the receptacle becomes fleshy and it forms the ball like a hollow structure. This structure has an apical opening. Thus, based on the above information we can conclude that the edible part of the fig is a receptacle.
Hence, the correct answer is option (A).

Note: Fruits are classified into three types based on the formation. These three types are as follows –
1. Simple fruits: The simple fruits are formed from the monocarpellary or polycarpellary, syncarpous ovary. Example – Banana
2. Aggregate fruits: The aggregate fruits are formed from the polycarpellary apocarpous ovary.
Example – Strawberry, Custard Apple
3. Multiple fruits: The multiple or composite fruit are those fruits that are formed from the whole inflorescence. Example – Jackfruit, Pineapple, Ficus, etc.