What is the function of tassels in the corn cob?

What is the function of tassels in the corn cob?
  1. To protect seeds
  2. To attract insects
  3. To trap pollen grains
  4. To disperse pollen grains

Solution

Corn is a monoecious plant. Mono means "one". Monoecious plants are those that have both male flowers and female flowers as separate structures but on the same plant. The corn cob has long tassels which help to spread the pollen into the flow of the wind. This pollen dispersion allows the growth of future progeny due to the wider dispersion of pollen into the wind.

Asked in: NEET 2023 (All India)

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