Question

Given below are two statements :
Statement (I) : Mature corn seed is exalbuminous.
Statement (II) : A full-grown corn embryo contains a single cotyledon within it.

• A. Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are true.
• B. Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are false.
• C. Statement (I) is true but Statement (II) is false.
• D. Statement (I) is false but Statement (II) is true.

Hint:

Remember:
- Cereals (Corn, Rice, Wheat): Monocots with endospermic/albuminous seeds (large endosperm remains at maturity).
- Legumes (Peas, Beans): Dicots with non-endospermic/exalbuminous seeds (endosperm is completely absorbed, nutrients stored in two cotyledons).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Angiosperm seeds are classified based on the presence of endosperm at maturity into albuminous (endospermic) and exalbuminous (non-endospermic) seeds.
They are also classified based on the number of embryonic leaves into monocotyledons and dicotyledons.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us evaluate both statements individually:
- Statement (I) is false: Corn (maize) is a monocotyledonous crop.
A mature corn kernel is highly albuminous (endospermic).
The vast majority of the mature corn seed volume is occupied by a large, starch-rich triploid endosperm that stores nutrient reserves, while the embryo occupies a relatively small portion.
In contrast, exalbuminous seeds (like peas or beans) completely consume their endosperm during development, storing food within large cotyledons.
- Statement (II) is true: Maize is a monocot, and its embryo contains a single shield-shaped cotyledon, which is specifically termed the scutellum.
The scutellum functions to absorb mobilized nutrients from the digesting endosperm during germination.
Therefore, Statement (I) is false but Statement (II) is true.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct option is: Statement (I) is false but Statement (II) is true.