Question

Given below are two statements:
Statement (I):Papaya is a polygamous plant with various sex forms (pistillate, hermaphrodite and staminate)
Statement (II): Pistillate form is stable and sex reversal is not affected by environmental factors
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.

• 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:

Papaya Sex Forms: Papaya is known for having multiple sex forms (male, female, hermaphrodite), making it polygamous. (Statement I is True)
Sex Stability in Papaya: While pure female plants are stable, hermaphrodite and male plants can show changes in flower type (sex reversal) due to environmental conditions like high temperature. (Statement II is False)

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Papaya has pistillate, staminate and hermaphrodite forms, so it is polygamous, Statement (I) true.
Step 2: Environmental stress (high temperature, moisture) is known to cause sex reversal in papaya flowers.
Step 3: This contradicts Statement (II), which is therefore false.
Step 4: Correct answer: Statement (I) is true but Statement (II) is false.