Question

What is the descending order of rate of respiration in following vegetables?
(A). Bean
(B). Onion
(C). Asparagus
(D). Beet
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. (A), (B), (C), (D).
• B. (A), (C), (B), (D).
• C. (B), (A), (D), (C).
• D. (C), (A), (D), (B).

Hint:

A simple rule for perishability: Flowers (e.g., broccoli) and Shoots (e.g., asparagus) are most perishable (highest respiration), followed by Fruits (e.g., beans, tomatoes), then Roots (e.g., carrots, beets), and finally Bulbs/Tubers (e.g., onions, potatoes) which are least perishable (lowest respiration).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Core Concept:
The task involves arranging vegetables based on their post-harvest respiration rate, which reflects their perishability and metabolic activity.

Step 2: Breakdown:
Respiration rates differ depending on the plant tissue type. Actively growing tissues respire faster than storage or dormant tissues.
\[\begin{array}{rl} \bullet & \text{(C) Asparagus: Rapidly growing spear (shoot) with an extremely high respiration rate, making it highly perishable.} \\ \bullet & \text{(A) Bean: Developing pods with seeds. High respiration rate, though typically lower than asparagus.} \\ \bullet & \text{(D) Beet: Storage root with a significantly lower metabolic rate. Exhibits a low to moderate respiration rate.} \\ \bullet & \text{(B) Onion: Dormant storage organ adapted for long-term survival. Has a very low respiration rate, resulting in high shelf-stability.} \\ \end{array}\]The descending order of respiration rate is: Asparagus $>$ Bean $>$ Beet $>$ Onion, corresponding to the sequence (C), (A), (D), (B).

Step 3: Solution:
The correct descending order of respiration rate is Asparagus, Bean, Beet, Onion.