Given below are two statements: Statement I : Cleistogamous flowers are invariably autogamous Statement II : Cleistogamy is disadvantageous as there is no chance for cross pollination In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below: (NEET 2022)
Answer: (A) (a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct. Answer: A.
- A.(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct✓
- B.(b) Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
- C.(c) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
- D.(d) Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct
Correct Answer
(A) (a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
Solution & Explanation
Answer: A. Both statements are correct. Cleistogamous flowers do not open at all, so cross-pollen cannot reach the stigma, making them invariably autogamous (Statement I). The downside is exactly this lack of any chance for cross-pollination, hence no scope for the genetic recombination that cross-pollination provides (Statement II). NCERT: Ch 1, p.12, lines 14-26 — "cleistogamous flowers which do not open at all (Figure 1.9c). In such flowers, the anthers and stigma lie close to each other. ... Thus, cleistogamous flowers are invariably autogamous as there is no chance of cross-pollen landing on the stigma. ... Do you think that cleistogamy is advantageous or disadvantageous to the plant? Why?"