In a maize comb, the silky hairs represent:

Options

A. Long style
B. Long style with feathery stigma
C. Involucre of bracts
D. Hairs or pappus

Answer

To solve the question "In a maize comb, the silky hairs represent:", we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Structure of Maize
Maize (Zea mays) is a monocot plant that has distinct reproductive structures. The maize plant has both male and female parts. The female parts are located in the ear, which is the structure that contains the kernels.

**Hint:** Focus on the reproductive structures of maize to understand their roles.

### Step 2: Identify the Silky Hairs
The "silky hairs" mentioned in the question refer to the long, hair-like structures that extend from the ear of the maize plant. These structures are known as styles, which are part of the female reproductive organ.

**Hint:** Think about the function of these hair-like structures in relation to pollination.

### Step 3: Determine the Function of the Silky Hairs
The silky hairs (styles) are designed to capture pollen grains that are dispersed by the wind. The feathery stigma at the top of the style is sticky, which helps in trapping the pollen for fertilization.

**Hint:** Consider how pollination occurs in maize and the role of the stigma and style in this process.

### Step 4: Conclude the Answer
Based on the understanding of the structure and function of the silky hairs in maize, we can conclude that they represent the long style with a feathery stigma.

**Hint:** Review the options provided in the question to confirm which one corresponds to the long style with feathery stigma.

### Final Answer
The correct answer is: **Long style with feathery stigma.**