True vs False Fruits — Apple, Strawberry, Cashew Develop From Thalamus
✅ Asked in NEET 2025NEET 2025 Which of the following correctly identifies the fruit types based on the given diagram of apple and strawberry?
NEET 2025 Which of the following correctly identifies the fruit types based on the given diagram of apple and strawberry?
Answer & NCERT explanation
Correct answer: B — Apple – false fruit, Strawberry – false fruit
Both apple and strawberry are false fruits (pseudocarps). In apple, the fleshy edible part develops from the thalamus/receptacle, not the ovary - the actual fruit is the core. In strawberry, the fleshy red part is the enlarged receptacle, while the small seed-like structures on the surface are the actual fruits (achenes). True fruits develop only from the ovary wall after fertilization.
Read more NCERT concept on the PYQ
In most plants, by the time the fruit develops from the ovary, other floral parts degenerate and fall off. However, in a few species such as apple, strawberry, cashew, etc., the thalamus also contributes to fruit formation. Such fruits are called false fruits. Most fruits however develop only from the ovary and are called true fruits. Although in most of the species, fruits are the results of fertilisation, there are a few species
In most plants, by the time the FRUIT develops from the OVARY, the other floral parts degenerate and fall off. Such fruits are called TRUE FRUITS. However, in a FEW species — APPLE, STRAWBERRY, CASHEW — the THALAMUS also contributes to fruit formation. These are FALSE FRUITS (pseudocarps). In apple, the FLESHY EDIBLE PART develops from the THALAMUS, while the actual ovary-derived fruit is the core. In strawberry, the FLESHY RED PART is the enlarged RECEPTACLE; the small seed-like dots on the surface are the ACTUAL FRUITS (achenes). PARTHENOCARPIC FRUITS develop WITHOUT fertilisation (e.g., banana) — seedless. So: TRUE = ovary only; FALSE = ovary + thalamus; PARTHENOCARPIC = no fertilisation.
NEET 2025 directly tested apple AND strawberry: BOTH are FALSE FRUITS (pseudocarps). Common trap: thinking apple is true because it looks like a normal fruit — WRONG, the fleshy apple is the thalamus. Memory: APPLE + STRAWBERRY + CASHEW = NCERT trio of false fruits. Banana is PARTHENOCARPIC (no seeds, develops without fertilisation) — different category. The actual 'fruit' of strawberry is the dotted seeds (achenes) on the surface, NOT the red flesh.
Apple is a true fruit because the fleshy edible part develops from the ovary wall after fertilisation.
Apple is a FALSE FRUIT (pseudocarp). The fleshy edible part develops from the THALAMUS, not the ovary. The actual ovary-derived fruit is the core.
Apple + Strawberry + Cashew = FALSE FRUITS (thalamus contributes). Banana = PARTHENOCARPIC (no fertilisation, no seeds).
- TRUE fruit = develops from ovary only (most fruits).
- FALSE fruit = thalamus contributes to fruit (NCERT trio: apple, strawberry, cashew).
- PARTHENOCARPIC fruit = develops without fertilisation, no seeds (e.g., banana).
- In strawberry, the red fleshy part is the enlarged RECEPTACLE; the dotted achenes on the surface are the actual fruits.
Consider the following statements about true, false, and parthenocarpic fruits: S1: A true fruit develops only from the ovary after fertilisation. S2: A false fruit involves contribution from the thalamus in addition to the ovary. S3: Apple is a true fruit because the fleshy edible part develops from the ovary wall. S4: In strawberry, the fleshy red part is the enlarged receptacle (thalamus), and the small seed-like dots on the surface are the actual fruits. S5: Banana is a parthenocarpic fruit that develops without fertilisation and is therefore seedless.
View bonus solution & explanation
Correct answer: B — S1, S2, S4 and S5
S1 CORRECT: True fruit = ovary only (NCERT). S2 CORRECT: False fruit = thalamus contributes. S3 WRONG: Apple is a FALSE FRUIT, not true. The fleshy edible part develops from the THALAMUS (NEET 2025 explicit). The ovary-derived fruit is the core. S4 CORRECT: Strawberry red flesh = receptacle; dotted achenes on surface = actual fruits (NEET 2025). S5 CORRECT: Banana = parthenocarpic, seedless, no fertilisation required.
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