Carpels and Stamens Are

Question

Carpels and stamens are
A) sporophyte plants in their own right.
B) gametophyte plants in their own right.
C) gametes.
D) spores.
E) modified sporophylls.

Accepted Answer

Carpels and stamens are modified sporophylls, which are modified leaves that bear sporangia (structures that produce spores). In the case of carpels, they have evolved from leaves that were once sythesized with the axial portion of the stem to surround and protect the ovules, and ultimately form the fruit. Similarly, stamens evolved from modified leaves that were in close proximity to spore forming structures on the plant.