Question

Long silky hair coming out of the cob of maize are
 A. Meant for fruit dispersal
B. Meant for attracting insects
C. Meant for protecting seeds
D. Long styles and stigmas

Answer 1

Hint: The long silky hairs that come out of the maize cob are also known as corn silk. It is the surface of female flowers to which pollen grain attaches for carrying out their reproduction process. These hairs represent the path for pollen grains to transmit their genetic material.

Complete answer:
The individual fiber represents an elongated style with an attached ovary. Maize plant is a monocot that is it has only one cotyledon. This plant carries out its pollination via air. It bears both the male as well as female flowers on the same plant (monoecious plant). Male flowers are borne at the terminus and are known as tassels. However, the female flowers are borne at lateral positions and are referred to as ears or cobs. The long silky textured hairs arising from these cobs represents the long styles and stigma of the female part called as carpel. They have been modified to capture the pollen for reproduction.
So the correct answer is option “D” that is long silky hairs coming out of the cob of maize are long style and stigma.

Hence, the correct answer is option (D).

Note: Long silky, thread-like hairs emerging from the ears of corn (commonly called corn silk) are scientifically known as Stigma maydis. Modified leaves which are also called husks enclose the ears or cobs of the maize plant. Moreover, corn silk or Stigma maydis also comprises of various pharmacologically-active compounds therefore these also form an important part of traditional medicines which may include melanin production inhibitors and diuretics.