In the context of sexual reproduction in flowering plants, which of the following pairs are correctly matched?

I. Papaya – Unisexual

II. Watermelon - Bisexual

The correct answer is Only I.

Key Points

• In flowering plants, unisexual flowers are those that contain either male (staminate) or female (pistillate) reproductive organs.
• Papaya (Carica papaya) is an example of a plant that typically has unisexual flowers, meaning it has separate male and female plants.
• Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) primarily has unisexual flowers, although some varieties may have both male and female flowers on the same plant (monoecious).
• Therefore, in the given options, only Papaya is correctly matched as unisexual.

Additional Information

• Unisexual Flowers: These flowers contain either stamens (male) or pistils (female) but not both. Examples include papaya, cucumber, and maize.
• Bisexual Flowers: These flowers contain both male (stamens) and female (pistils) reproductive organs in the same flower. Examples include rose, lily, and hibiscus.
• Monoecious Plants: These plants have separate male and female flowers on the same plant. Examples include maize and cucumber.
• Dioecious Plants: These plants have separate male and female individuals. Examples include papaya and date palm.
• Sexual Reproduction in Plants: Involves the fusion of male and female gametes to form a zygote, which eventually develops into a seed. This process includes pollination and fertilization.