Which of the following statements is/are correct ?
(i) Endothecium lies below epidermis
(ii) Fusion of egg with male gamete is called apogamy
(iii) Synergids are haploid.
(iv) The point at which funicle touches the ovule is raphe.

Options

A. a and d
B. a and b
C. a and c
D. only a

Answer

To determine which statements are correct, let's analyze each statement one by one:

### Step 1: Analyze Statement (i)
**Statement:** Endothecium lies below epidermis.
**Analysis:** The endothecium is a layer of cells in the anther wall of flowering plants. It is indeed located below the epidermis.
**Conclusion:** This statement is **correct**.

### Step 2: Analyze Statement (ii)
**Statement:** Fusion of egg with male gamete is called apogamy.
**Analysis:** The fusion of the egg cell with the male gamete is called **syngamy**, not apogamy. Apogamy refers to the formation of an embryo without fertilization.
**Conclusion:** This statement is **incorrect**.

### Step 3: Analyze Statement (iii)
**Statement:** Synergids are haploid.
**Analysis:** Synergids are indeed haploid cells that are part of the female gametophyte (embryo sac) in flowering plants. They are involved in guiding the pollen tube to the egg cell.
**Conclusion:** This statement is **correct**.

### Step 4: Analyze Statement (iv)
**Statement:** The point at which funicle touches the ovule is raphe.
**Analysis:** The funicle is the stalk that attaches the ovule to the ovary wall. The point where the funicle attaches to the ovule is called the **hilum**, not the raphe. The raphe is a ridge that runs along the seed.
**Conclusion:** This statement is **incorrect**.

### Final Conclusion:
The correct statements are (i) and (iii).

### Summary of Correct Statements:
- (i) Endothecium lies below epidermis - **Correct**
- (ii) Fusion of egg with male gamete is called apogamy - **Incorrect**
- (iii) Synergids are haploid - **Correct**
- (iv) The point at which funicle touches the ovule is raphe - **Incorrect**

### Final Answer:
The correct statements are (i) and (iii).

---