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 fertilised.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Option 2 is true because if the pollen tubes did not enter all of the ovules, only the ovules that were fertilized will develop into seeds. Option 5 is also true as it is possible for a fruit to develop even if all the ovules within have not been fertilized. Option 1 is not necessarily true because even if a flower is not pollinated, some ovules can still develop into seeds. Option 3 is false because endosperm is not necessary for the development of all ovules into seeds. Option 4 is also false because the ovules that failed to develop into seeds were not necessarily derived from sterile floral parts.

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