Question

Assertion (a): In a syconoid type of fruit, the achenes formed are fewer than the total number of flowers in the inflorescence.
Reason (r): Upper and middle flowers do not develop in fruits.
A. Both a and r are correct with r being the correct explanation of a
B. Both a and R are true but r is not the correct explanation of a
C. a is true but r is false
D. a is false but r is true

Answer 1

A mature ovary which is edible is called a fruit. A syconus type of fruit is large, fleshy, and consists of multiple ovaries. The term inflorescence refers to a bunch of flowers present in groups or clusters arranged at the tip of the stem.

Complete answer:
In the syconus type of fruit, only the female flowers grow into achenes inside the closed receptacle of the inflorescence. The receptacle refers to the lower fleshy part of the fruit. While the upper and the middle flowers do not develop into fruits. Therefore, the total number of flowers inside the inflorescence is the total number of achenes produced. One of the examples of a syconus fruit is fig. It is developed from hypanthodium inflorescence. The above-given assertion and reason are correct. The given reason is an appropriate explanation of the given assertion.
Therefore, option A is the correct answer.

Additional information: Following pollination and fertilization, the fruit grows from a mature ovary or any other floral component. It is known as true fruits, false fruits or parthenocarpic fruits, depending on which floral part the fruit produces. Fruits are also graded as basic, aggregate and composite, depending on their composition.

Note: A syconus fruit is considered as both multiple and accessory fruits. In nature, the syconus fruits are achenial. Some other examples of syconus fruits are gular and banyan. Sorosis is another type of fruit that shows the presence of multiple composite ovaries. Mulberry and jackfruit are examples of sorosis fruits.