Consider the following statements with respect to pollen grains (a) Exine is thin, continuous layer made up of cellulose and pectin (b) Hard outer layer called exine is made of sporopollenin (c) Sporopollenin is present in germ pores (d) Exine exhibits a fascinating array of patterns and designs. Of the above statements

Options

A. a and b alone are correct
B. a and c alone are correct
C. b and d alone are correct
D. b and c alone are correct.

Answer

To analyze the given statements about pollen grains, we will evaluate each statement one by one to determine whether they are true or false.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Evaluate Statement (a)**:
- **Statement**: Exine is a thin, continuous layer made up of cellulose and pectin.
- **Analysis**: This statement is incorrect. The exine is not made of cellulose and pectin; it is primarily composed of sporopollenin, which is a robust and resistant biopolymer.
- **Conclusion**: Statement (a) is **false**.

2. **Evaluate Statement (b)**:
- **Statement**: Hard outer layer called exine is made of sporopollenin.
- **Analysis**: This statement is correct. The exine is indeed the hard outer layer of the pollen grain and is made of sporopollenin, which provides structural integrity and protection.
- **Conclusion**: Statement (b) is **true**.

3. **Evaluate Statement (c)**:
- **Statement**: Sporopollenin is present in germ pores.
- **Analysis**: This statement is incorrect. Germ pores are areas on the pollen grain where the exine is absent, allowing for the emergence of the pollen tube. Sporopollenin is not present in these pores.
- **Conclusion**: Statement (c) is **false**.

4. **Evaluate Statement (d)**:
- **Statement**: Exine exhibits a fascinating array of patterns and designs.
- **Analysis**: This statement is correct. The exine can have various patterns and textures, such as spiny, smooth, or rough, which are characteristic of different pollen types.
- **Conclusion**: Statement (d) is **true**.

### Summary of Statements:
- Statement (a): False
- Statement (b): True
- Statement (c): False
- Statement (d): True

### Final Answer:
The correct statements are (b) and (d). Therefore, the answer is option **C**: Statements B and D alone are correct.

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