Q23 / 180 · AIIMS 2007 · Botany
Assertion : Conifer trees produce a large quantity of wind borne pollen grains.
Reason : The pollen grains have wings.
- Correct answerAIf both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion
- BIf both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion
- CIf assertion is true but reason is false
- DIf both assertion and reason are false.
Solution
Conifer or Pinus is a heterosporous plant producing mega and microspores inside megasporangium and micro-sporangium respectively. Each microsporangium is a small, sessile and elongated sac like structure having two layered wall. Inside the wall lie tapetum which is a nourishing layer. Inside the cavity are large number of dusty and two winged microspores present. On maturity the microsporangium wall bursts from the upper side forming a longitudinal slit. A large number of yellow pollen grains are liberated which are carried by wind due to the presence of wings.
Hence, the correct answer is option: 'A'.