In some members of which of the following pairs of families, pollen gr...
In some cereals such as rice and wheat, pollen grains lose viability within 30 minutes of their release, and in some members of Rosaceae, Leguminoseae and Solanaceae, they maintain viability for months.
In some members of which of the following pairs of families, pollen gr...
The correct answer is option 'B' - Rosaceae; Leguminosae.
Explanation:
Pollen grains are the male reproductive cells in plants that are responsible for fertilization. After release from the anthers, they travel through the air or other agents to reach the female reproductive organs of flowers. However, not all pollen grains have the same viability or longevity. Some pollen grains can retain their viability for a very short time, while others can survive for months or even years.
Out of the given pairs of families, the two families Rosaceae and Leguminosae are known to have pollen grains that retain their viability for several months after release. Let us see some details about these families:
1. Rosaceae: This family includes many economically important plants such as apples, pears, cherries, strawberries, raspberries, and roses. The pollen grains of many Rosaceae species have a hard outer layer called exine, which protects them from environmental stresses and enables them to survive for a long time. For example, the pollen grains of apple and pear can retain their viability for up to 6 months.
2. Leguminosae: This family includes many important food crops such as beans, peas, lentils, soybeans, and peanuts. The pollen grains of many Leguminosae species are also known to have a tough exine layer that enables them to survive for a long time. For example, the pollen grains of soybean can remain viable for up to 10 months.
Therefore, the correct answer is option 'B' - Rosaceae; Leguminosae.