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Question #45317
The Question
Pollen-pistil interaction is a dynamic, resource-heavy process involving pollen recognition followed by promotion or inhibition. If a chemical inhibitor completely blocks the stigmatic recognition glycoproteins in a mature Commelina plant, which of the following is the most likely reproductive outcome and its correct physiological rationale?
Options
- A.
Complete sterility; because the continuous chemical dialogue is an absolute prerequisite for pollen tube growth in all types of flowers.
- B.
Assured seed set; because cleistogamous flowers inherently bypass the risks of pollen rejection and do not rely on complex compatibility signaling for obligate autogamy.
- C.
Shift to geitonogamy; because pollen from other flowers of the same plant is automatically accepted by the style, bypassing the stigmatic barrier.
- D.
Shift to xenogamy; because the inhibition of self-recognition proteins will exclusively trigger the acceptance of genetically diverse pollen.
Check Your Answer
Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Comparative_Analysis
Sharpen your ability to evaluate multiple scenarios and distinguish between competing potential answers.
Concepts Behind This Question
Pollination|Genetic Fitness|Auto-gamy
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: The question tests the synthesis of two NCERT concepts: the dual-flower system of Commelina and the chemical nature of pollen-pistil interaction.
The common misconception is treating pollen-pistil interaction as a universal barrier for all flowers, failing to recognize that cleistogamy evolved specifically as a fail-safe to bypass the high-energy costs and risks of this exact compatibility dialogue.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants - Class 12 |
| Concept | Pollen-Pistil Interaction |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |