Question

The seeds of the fruit are dry and dispersed by an explosion due to the touch of our hands.
A. Cucumber
B. Balsam
C. Xanthium
D. Calotropis

Answer 1

Hint: A seed is a product of sexual reproduction. It contains a future plant with genetic variations and genetic recombination. It is formed in the fruit and needs to be dispersed to a new location for the continuity of the race.

Step by step answer:As seeds contain miniature future plants, they must be get spread or dispersed to a large geographical area to avoid competition for its species. The spreading of seeds to long distances from the parent plant is called seed dispersal. It is an adaptation. The dispersal of seeds occurs with the help of ecological factors such as wind, water, and animals.
For the dispersal of fruits and seeds, they have an attractive colour, odor, shape, and taste. They attract
birds, mammals, reptiles, fish, ants, and insects even earthworms for their dispersal.
Since plants cannot move from place to place, plants developed various methods to disperse (move)
their seeds. The most common methods are wind, water, animals, explosion, and fire.
The fruit of the Balsam plant is a pod-like structure. Its seeds are very light. The seeds are dispersed by
splitting action. This action is also known as explosive action. A soft touch with our hands of Impatiens
(Balsam) ripened fruit to explode and seeds are thrown out with the great force to a little distance away
from the plant.
Thus, option B. Balsam is the correct answer.

Note: It contains a future plant in a dormant condition with genetic variations and genetic recombination. These seeds need to be dispersed to a new location for the continuity of the race. The process of seed dispersal is an adaptation to prevent overcrowding and reduce the competition between the young and adult plant for water, space, nutrients, and sunlight.