Embryo Development & Fruit Formation — NEET Biology

Correct answer: D — S2, S3, S4 and S5

Let's evaluate each statement to identify the incorrect ones: S1: Apple and strawberry are indeed false fruits because the thalamus, an accessory floral part, contributes to their edible portion. This statement is correct. (Correct) S2: This statement claims true fruits are 'always' the result of fertilisation. This is incorrect because parthenocarpic fruits (which can be true fruits, e.g., banana) develop solely from the ovary but without fertilisation. (Incorrect) S3: Parthenocarpic fruits are characteristically seedless and can be induced by growth hormones. However, the claim that 'banana is not a natural example of such fruits' is false. Banana is a classic example of a naturally occurring parthenocarpic fruit. (Incorrect) S4: This statement incorrectly states that the scutellum (the single cotyledon) is found in a dicotyledonous embryo and that monocotyledonous embryos typically have two cotyledons. In reality, the scutellum is the single cotyledon of a monocotyledonous embryo, and dicotyledonous embryos have two cotyledons. The statement reverses these facts. (Incorrect) S5: Albuminous seeds 'retain' a part of the endosperm (e.g., castor, coconut, wheat, maize). Pea and groundnut are examples of 'non-albuminous' (or ex-albuminous) seeds, where the endosperm is completely consumed during embryo development. Therefore, this statement incorrectly associates pea and groundnut with albuminous seeds. (Incorrect) Therefore, statements S2, S3, S4, and S5 are NOT correct. The final answer is D.