Question

Assertion
In Cocos nucifera , coconut water represents the cellular endosperm and the surrounding white kernel represents the free-nuclear endosperm.
Reason
The endosperm is always completely consumed by the developing embryos before seed maturation.
A. Both Assertion and Reason are correct and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion.
B. Both Assertion and Reason are correct but Reason is not the correct explanation for Assertion.
C. Assertion is correct but Reason is incorrect.
D. Both Assertion and Reason are incorrect.

Answer 1

Cocos nucifera or the coconut tree is a member of the palm tree, Arecaceae, and the only species of the genus Cocos. Coconut is botanically a seed or fruit, or a drupe but not a nut. They are grown extensively in the coastal region. It is one of the useful trees in the world and is referred to as the tree of life. It gives food, fuel, medicine, and building materials.

Complete answer: After pollination and fertilization has occurred fruit will develop and will mature in about 12 months or in lesser time. A bunch of coconuts can give a reasonable yield.
The fruit is a drupe with a smooth outside skin called exocarp which varies from green to red browning color. The coat is called mesocarp which will be white and firm when it is young. Besides this, the ripe nut is a very fibrous mass, and the husk from which we obtain coir. After the husk, there is a nut with a hard shell which is called an endocarp which encloses the kernel which is the endosperm.
There is a thin brown seed coat called testa which is in between the shell and the kernel. This adheres tightly to the kernel which is white-colored flesh it makes the lining to the central cavity which bears the water.
At the end of the maturation the volume of the water decreases which is due to the absorption by the endosperm tissues.
Hence the correct answer is option D, Both assertion and reason are incorrect.

Note: In Cocos nucifera , the free water in the cavity is free nuclear endosperm and the surrounding kernel is the cellular endosperm. Endosperm can be entirely consumed by the developing embryo-like in groundnut and beans or it may persist even in the mature seeds like castor and coconut and this is used for seed germination.