Definition of Caryopsis:A caryopsis is a type of fruit that is characteristic of grasses and cereal crops. It is a one-seeded fruit in which the fruit wall and seed coat are fused together, making it difficult to separate them.
Explanation of the answer choices:A:
that dehisces to expose seeds
- Dehiscence refers to the splitting or opening of a fruit to release its seeds. However, a caryopsis does not dehisce; instead, it remains intact.
B:
that does not have fruit wall
- This statement is incorrect. A caryopsis does have a fruit wall, but it is fused with the seed coat.
C:
which is fleshy and contains many seeds
- This statement is incorrect. A caryopsis is not fleshy; it is dry and hard.
D:
in which fruit wall and seed coat have fused
- This statement is correct. A caryopsis is characterized by the fusion of the fruit wall and seed coat, making it difficult to separate them.
Conclusion:The correct answer is D:
in which fruit wall and seed coat have fused
. A caryopsis is a fruit in which the fruit wall and seed coat are fused together, distinguishing it from other types of fruits.