Question

Which one of the following is monoecious?

• A. Marchantia
• B. Cycas
• C. Pinus
• D. Papaya

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

To determine which one of the given options is monoecious, we first need to understand the term "monoecious." A monoecious organism is one that has both male and female reproductive organs in the same individual plant. Let's evaluate each option to identify the correct answer:

1. Marchantia: This is a genus of liverworts, and they are generally dioecious, meaning they have separate male and female plants. Thus, Marchantia is not monoecious.
2. Cycas: Cycas belongs to a group of gymnosperms and is dioecious. It has separate male and female plants. Therefore, Cycas is not monoecious.
3. Pinus: This is a genus of conifers, particularly pines, which are gymnosperms. Pinus is monoecious, meaning that a single tree bears both male and female cones. The male cones produce pollen, while the female cones develop seeds. Hence, Pinus is monoecious.
4. Papaya: Papaya plants are generally either dioecious or trichotomous, with male, female, and hermaphrodite (bisexual) plants. However, they do not typically exhibit a monoecious arrangement. Thus, Papaya is not monoecious.

Conclusion: Among the given options, Pinus is the correct answer as it is the only plant that is monoecious, having both male and female reproductive structures on the same plant.