Difference between Monocarpellary and Multicarpellary - Testbook.com
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An Introduction to Monocarpellary
A carpel is an essential component of the gynoecium, which is the female reproductive organ of a flower. It's composed of the style, stigma, and ovary. The ovary, located at the base, houses the ovules. When the gynoecium contains a single carpel, it's referred to as monocarpellary. Monocarpellary gynoecium can be found in fruits like oranges, bananas, and durian.
Understanding Multicarpellary
A gynoecium that contains multiple carpels is known as multicarpellary. In this case, each carpel is a self-contained unit, comprising the style, stigma, and ovary. Generally, the carpel is considered the fourth layer of a flower.
Examples –
- Watermelon and Apple (multicarpellary apocarpous).
- Cucumber and Pumpkin (multicarpellary syncarpous).
Highlighting the Differences between Monocarpellary and Multicarpellary
Monocarpellary |
Multicarpellary |
|---|---|
| The gynoecium contains a single carpel. | The gynoecium contains multiple carpels. |
| It has a single pistil. | It has more than one pistil. |
| Examples – Orange, Banana, and Durian. | Examples – Apple, Watermelon, and Cucumber. |
Further Reading:
- Flower – Parts and Functions
- Difference between apocarpous and syncarpous
- Difference between carpel and pistil
- Sexual reproduction in flowering plants
Continue exploring more fascinating topics in biology.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an apocarpous and syncarpous ovary?
When a flower has more than one carpel, it can be fused or unfused. The ovary with free carpels is apocarpous. The ovary with their carpels fused is termed syncarpous. Sometimes, a syncarpous might look like a monocarpellary. Usually, the apocarpous ovary produces aggregate fruits like strawberries. Tomato and Brinjal are examples of syncarpous.
What is a pistil?
A pistil is the seed-bearing, innermost part of a flower that has the ovary. It is usually composed of carpel/carpels. It is the carpel that produces eggs and undergoes fertilization. A flower that has gynoecium and does not have a stamen (pollen producing part), is called a carpellate or pistillate flower.
What are style and stigma?
Stigma is the sticky knob-like structure of a carpel. It receives pollen and germination of pollen grains happens here. The style is a narrow stalk-like structure that connects the ovary and stigma. It is usually considered as an extension of the ovary. A stigma without style is considered sessile.
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