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Multiple Choice
Which statement best describes the relationship between a carpel and a pistil?
A
A carpel is made up of several pistils.
B
A pistil and a carpel are always identical in number within a flower.
C
A pistil may consist of one or more fused carpels.
D
Carpels and pistils are completely unrelated floral structures.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the basic definitions: A carpel is the female reproductive structure in a flower, consisting of the ovary, style, and stigma. A pistil is the term used to describe the entire female reproductive unit, which may consist of one carpel or multiple fused carpels.
Clarify the relationship: A pistil can be made up of a single carpel (simple pistil) or multiple carpels that are fused together (compound pistil). This means that the number of pistils and carpels in a flower may not always be identical.
Analyze the options: Evaluate each statement based on the definitions. For example, the statement 'A carpel is made up of several pistils' is incorrect because carpels are the structural units that make up pistils, not the other way around.
Focus on the correct answer: The statement 'A pistil may consist of one or more fused carpels' accurately describes the relationship between these structures, as it aligns with the biological definition.
Conclude with clarification: Carpels and pistils are related floral structures, with pistils being composed of carpels. They are not completely unrelated, nor are they always identical in number within a flower.