Which among the following statements are correct?
(A) Albuminous seeds retain a part of endosperm as it is not completely used up during embryo development.
(B) Wheat, maize, barley, castor are examples of non-albuminous seeds.
(C) In black pepper and beet, remnants of nucellus are persistent, i.e., pericarp.
(D) The embryo may enter a state of inactivity called dormancy.
Choose the correct answer from the given options.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → A and D only
(A) Albuminous seeds retain a part of endosperm as it is not completely used up during embryo development. — True. The endosperm is the food store of the seed. In albuminous seeds, the embryo does not use all of it, so some endosperm remains in the mature seed.
(B) Wheat, maize, barley, castor are examples of non-albuminous seeds. — False. Wheat, maize, barley and castor are examples of albuminous seeds. Non-albuminous seeds have no endosperm left, for example pea and groundnut.
(C) In black pepper and beet, remnants of nucellus are persistent, i.e., pericarp. — False. The persistent remnant of the nucellus is called the perisperm. The pericarp is the wall of the fruit, which develops from the wall of the ovary.
(D) The embryo may enter a state of inactivity called dormancy. — True. As the seed matures, it loses water and the embryo’s activity slows down. The embryo may then stay inactive (dormant) until conditions are right for germination.
NCERT Extract:
Seed – “… Mature seeds may be non-albuminous or ex-albuminous. Non-albuminous seeds have no residual endosperm as it is completely consumed during embryo development (e.g., pea, groundnut). Albuminous seeds retain a part of endosperm as it is not completely used up during embryo development (e.g., wheat, maize, barley, castor). Occasionally, in some seeds such as black pepper and beet, remnants of nucellus are also persistent. This residual, persistent nucellus is the perisperm. … The embryo may enter a state of inactivity called dormancy, or if favourable conditions are available (adequate moisture, oxygen and suitable temperature), they germinate. … The wall of the ovary develops into the wall of fruit called pericarp.”