Question

Consider the following statements.
a) In racemose inflorescence flowers are borne in basipetal order.
b) Epigynous flowers are seen in rose plants.
c) In brinjal, the ovary is superior

Of these statements
A) a and b are true but c is false
B) a and c are true but b is false
C) a and b are false but c is true
D) b and c are true but a is false
E) a and c are false but b is true

Answer 1

Inflorescence is defined as the arrangement of flowers on a stem which is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branching. In flowering plants the ovary which is the female reproductive part of a plant serves as a basis of classification.

Complete answer:
Inflorescence can be differentiated based on different characteristics of the flower such as how they are arranged on the peduncle, their blooming order and how they are clustered together. In plants different organs are capable of growing with different schemes. These schemes are of two types- monopodial or racemose and sympodial or cymose. In racemose inflorescence flowers are borne in acropetal order where the terminal flower mature first and others start to mature from the bottom of stem whereas in cymose inflorescence basipetal arrangement of flowers are found.
Flowers that consist of inferior ovary where the ovary lies below the attachment of other floral parts are termed as epigynous flowers. They are found in orchids, banana, squash, guard and melon family.
A superior ovary is one where the ovary is attached to above the attachment of other floral parts and such flowers are termed as hypogynous. They are mostly found in rose, mustard, brinjal, onion, etc.

So the correct option is (C) a and b are false but ‘c’ is true.

Note: Knowledge about inflorescence and position of ovary helps us to classify flowers and different plant families in separate groups and also helps to determine how closely they are related evolutionary.