Among plants known as legumes (beans, peas, alfalfa, clover, for example), the seeds are contained in a fruit that is itself called a legume, better known as a pod. Upon opening such pods, it is commonly observed that some ovules have become mature seeds, whereas other ovules have not. Thus, which of the following statements is (are) true?
1)The flowers that gave rise to such pods were not pollinated.
2)Pollen tubes did not enter all of the ovules in such pods.
3)There was apparently not enough endosperm to distribute to all of the ovules in such pods.
4)The ovules that failed to develop into seeds were derived from sterile floral parts.
5)Fruit can develop, even if all ovules within have not been fertilized.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Legume pods can contain both fertilized and unfertilized ovules. If some ovules fail to develop into seeds, it means that the pollen tubes did not enter all of the ovules in the flower. This can be due to incomplete pollination, genetic defects, or environmental stress. However, fruit can still develop even if not all ovules are fertilized as they can provide nourishment to the developing seeds.

Among Plants Known as Legumes (Beans, Peas, Alfalfa, Clover, for Example)