Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants Question 39
39. Unisexuality of flowers prevents
[2008]
(a) autogamy, but not geitonogamy
(b) both geitonogamy and xenogamy
(c) geitonogamy, but not xenogamy
(d) autogamy and geitonogamy
Show Answer
Answer : a
Hints & Solutions
(a) Unisexuality of flowers prevents autogamy, but not geitonogamy. In self fertilisation, the male and female gametes are derived from the same individual. Among plants, self fertilization also called autogamy is common in many cultivated species, eg., wheat and oats. However, self fertilization is a form of inbreeding and does not allow for the mixing of genetic material; if it occurs over a number of generations it will result in offspring being less vigorous and productive than those resulting from cross fertilization.
