Question

Which one of the following organisms is correctly matched with its three characteristics?
A. Pea- Cz pathway, endospermic seed, vexillary aestivation
B. Tomato- twisted aestivation, axile placentation, berry
C. Onion-Bulb, imbricate aestivation, axile placentation
D. Maize-$C_4$ pathway, closed vascular bundle, scutellum

Answer 1

Plants are multicellular eukaryotes. They have organelles called chloroplasts and cell walls made of cellulose. Plants also have specialized reproductive organs. Almost all plants make food by using chlorophyll (throughout photosynthesis) which facilitates their growth and development. Growth occurs both internally and externally through cell division.

Complete answer:
In the maize plant, the carbon fixation is done by the $C_4$ mechanism, these plants have Kranz anatomy in their leaves. It has two types of cells called mesophyll cells where carbonic anhydrase fixes diffuse carbon dioxide to bicarbonate chemical compounds and the enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase converts bicarbonate chemical compounds into oxaloacetic acid.
The scutellum plays a vital role in endosperm digestion during the germination process and functions as a storage organ. The maize scutellum accumulates 90% of the lipids in the kernel, 19% of the proteins, 10% of the minerals, and 10% of the sugars. In Maize the Intra-fascicular cambium is absent. Phloem and xylem occur in direct contact with each other. Closed vascular bundles are found in leaves. Closed vascular bundles can be collateral or concentric.
Hence, the correct option is (D), i.e., Maize-$C_4$ pathway, closed vascular bundle, scutellum.

Note: In India, maize is cultivated in Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. It is known as Makka in India. The rainfall requirement For growing maize is fifty to a hundred centimeters. In areas of less rainfall, it is grown under irrigation.