Question

Plant somatic embryogenesis is a process that forms:

• A. Bipolar structures having shoot apical meristems only
• B. Unipolar structures having shoot apical meristems only
• C. Bipolar structures having both shoot and root meristems
• D. Amorphous structures having mass of undifferentiated cells

Hint:

An Embryo is always Bipolar. If it only has a shoot or only a root, it's an "organ," not an "embryo."

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept: Somatic embryogenesis is the development of embryos from vegetative (somatic) cells rather than through the fusion of gametes. These embryos are structurally identical to zygotic embryos.

Step 1: Understanding "Bipolarity."
A true embryo is defined by its bipolarity. This means it has two distinct poles: an apical pole that will form the shoot and a basal pole that will form the root.

Step 2: Comparing to Organogenesis.
In organogenesis, you might form a "unipolar" structure (like a shoot without a root, or a root without a shoot). However, somatic embryos are complete individuals that contain both shoot and root apical meristems from the very beginning.

Step 3: Conclusion.
Somatic embryos are independent, bipolar structures possessing both a shoot and a root apex, allowing them to germinate directly into a complete plantlet.