The edible part of Peach is

Options

A. endocarp
B. epicarp & mesocarp
C. exocarp
D. pericarp

Answer

To determine the edible part of a peach, we need to understand the structure of the fruit and its components. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the solution:

### Step 1: Understand the Structure of a Fruit
- A fruit is a ripened ovary that develops after fertilization. It contains seeds and is made up of different layers.

### Step 2: Identify the Layers of the Pericarp
- The pericarp is the part of the fruit that surrounds the seeds. It consists of three layers:
1. **Epicarp**: The outermost layer.
2. **Mesocarp**: The middle layer.
3. **Endocarp**: The innermost layer that directly surrounds the seed.

### Step 3: Classify the Peach Fruit
- A peach is classified as a drupe (or stone fruit), which means it has a fleshy exterior and a hard, stony endocarp that encloses the seed.

### Step 4: Determine Edibility of Each Layer
- In the case of a peach:
- The **endocarp** is stony and non-edible.
- The **epicarp** and **mesocarp** are fleshy and edible.

### Step 5: Conclusion
- Therefore, the edible parts of the peach are the **epicarp** and **mesocarp**.

### Final Answer
- The edible part of the peach is the **epicarp and mesocarp**.

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