Postharvest Technologies Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What factors influence a commodity's response to postharvest technology?

The factors include the nature of the commodity and the physical, chemical, and biological environments it is subjected to.

Define morpho-anatomy in the context of plant study.

Morpho-anatomy is the study of the visible and microscopic parts of a commodity, focusing on its form, structure, and function.

What is the primary building block of a commodity?

The primary building block of a commodity is the cell.

How do the tap and lateral roots function in plants?

Tap roots function as storage organs for carbohydrates, while lateral roots help in anchorage and nutrient absorption. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the stem in a plant?

The stem serves as the upward growing axis that supports leaves and flowers, contributing to the plant's structure and nutrient transport. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes fruits from other plant organs?

Fruits consist of the fruit wall and seeds, with the fruit wall comprising the peel and the edible portion. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the structure of flowers in plants.

Flowers consist of petals, calyx, and reproductive organs including the pistil and stamen. Signup and view all the answers

What role do leaves play in the plant's metabolism?

Leaves, particularly their blades and petioles, are vital for photosynthesis and may serve as storage organs. Signup and view all the answers

What are some special morphological adaptations found in vegetables?

Special morphological adaptations include structures like the spears of asparagus and the tuber structure of potatoes. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the term 'inflorescence' in relation to flowers.

Inflorescence refers to a group of flowers that appear as one flower, as seen in plants like cauliflower. Signup and view all the answers

Define the structure of a banana fruit, including terms such as bunch, hand, fingers, and crown.

A banana fruit consists of a bunch, which is a group of hands. Each hand contains individual fruits called fingers, connected by a thick part known as the crown. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the components of citrus fruits, focusing on their rind and edible parts.

Citrus fruits have a thick tough rind composed of an outer layer called flavedo and a spongy layer called albedo, while the edible parts are juice vesicles enclosed by juice sacs. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a cashew from other fruits, particularly regarding its structure?

The cashew is unique as its nut is the fruit itself, situated atop a fleshy part known as the cashew apple. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the anatomical features of a durian fruit, including its husk and aril.

A durian fruit has a hard peel called the husk, which is spiny, enclosing the aril inside, located in a space known as the locule. Signup and view all the answers

What are the key anatomical parts of a mango, and how do they contribute to its structure?

A mango consists of a peel, pulp, and stone; the stone is the hard inner part that contains a fibrous seed coat and the seed. Signup and view all the answers

Identify the outer structure of a pineapple and its distinct parts, such as the crown and eyes.

The pineapple has a crown of leaves on top, depressed areas called eyes on the sides, and its outer skin is known as the shell. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the distinguishing characteristics of rambutans that affect its appearance.

Rambutans are characterized by long soft hairs called spinterns that cover the aril and seed. Signup and view all the answers

Outline the basic structure of a plant cell, highlighting its protective components.

A plant cell consists of a cell wall as the outer covering and a plasma membrane beneath it that protects and regulates the cellular contents. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of chloroplasts in plant cells?

Chloroplasts mainly catalyze the carbon reactions of photosynthesis. Signup and view all the answers

Explain why mitochondria are referred to as the powerhouse of the cell.

Mitochondria are referred to as the powerhouse of the cell because they are the organelles where respiration occurs. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of vacuoles in plant cells?

Vacuoles store water and serve as a dumping ground for cellular wastes. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the composition of the vascular system in plants.

The vascular system is composed of phloem and xylem. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the dermal system in plants?

The dermal system protects plant organs against injury and temperature changes. Signup and view all the answers

What structural change occurs to vacuoles as plant cells mature?

Mature plant cells typically have one large vacuole formed from the fusion of several smaller vacuoles. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the cuticle in the epidermis?

The cuticle provides a protective layer over the epidermis, enhancing the plant's resistance to environmental factors. Signup and view all the answers

Identify the major types of primary tissues in plants.

The major types of primary tissues are epidermal tissues and parenchyma. Signup and view all the answers

How do cristae in mitochondria contribute to their function?

Cristae increase the surface area for enzyme distribution, enhancing respiration efficiency. Signup and view all the answers

What are stomata, and what role do they play in plants?

Stomata are openings in the epidermis that facilitate gas exchange in the plant. Signup and view all the answers

What is the edible part of asparagus called, and why is it named that?

The edible part of asparagus is called the 'spear' because it resembles a weapon. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the parts of the banana blossom that are edible.

The edible parts of the banana blossom are the layers of tender inner coverings called 'bracts' which encircle rows of male flowers. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the inflorescence of broccoli and cauliflower?

'Curd' is the term used to describe the inflorescence of broccoli and cauliflower. Signup and view all the answers

What are the 'wraps' and 'burr' in cabbage?

'Wrappers' are the loose leaves that enclose the head, while the 'burr' is the end of the remaining stem. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the structure of an onion bulb.

An onion bulb is made up of modified leaf bases called 'scales', with papery outer covering and thicker fleshy scales inside. Signup and view all the answers

How is a potato classified morphologically?

A potato is classified as a modified stem known as a tuber. Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'husk' in sweet corn?

The 'husk' is the green, papery covering that encloses the ear of sweet corn. Signup and view all the answers

Define the terms 'blossom end' and 'stem scar' in tomatoes.

The 'blossom end' is the bottom center part of the fruit, while the 'stem scar' is the depressed area where the stem was attached. Signup and view all the answers

In bananas, what do the terms 'bunch', 'hands', and 'fingers' refer to?

'Bunch' refers to the whole set of fruits, 'hands' are groups of fruits, and 'fingers' are individual fruits connected by the crown. Signup and view all the answers

What are the main structural components of a citrus fruit?

Citrus fruits mainly consist of a thick rind with layers called 'flavedo' and 'albedo', along with juice vesicles and sacs. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Postharvest Interactions

Postharvest response of commodities is affected by inherent characteristics and handling methods.
Morphological, anatomical, and physical features influence responses to environmental factors and technology.
The variety of produce leads to diverse responses to postharvest technologies.

Morpho-Anatomical Structure

Plant organization is crucial for metabolic processes; breakdown leads to quality deterioration.
Cells are the basic building blocks of plant commodities; groups of similar cells form tissues.
Various tissue systems (dermal, fundamental, vascular) make up the organs: leaves, roots, stems, flowers, fruits.

Special Morphological Parts: Roots and Organs

Roots can be tap roots for carbohydrate storage or thin lateral roots for nutrient uptake.
Stems support leaves and flowers, featuring nodes (growth points) and internodes (spaces between nodes).
Leaves have a blade and petiole, may serve as storage in some species (e.g., onion).
Flowers consist of petals, calyx, reproductive organs (pistil and stamen), and can form inflorescences.
Fruits consist of a fruit wall (peel and edible portion) and seeds.

Special Morphological Parts: Specific Examples

Banana: Bunches contain hands (groups of fruits) and fingers (individual fruits).
Cashew: The nut (fruit) sits atop the cashew apple.
Citrus fruits: Characterized by a tough rind (flavedo and albedo) with juice sacs containing vesicles.
Durian: Hard husk surrounding an aril, featuring natural carpel sutures.
Mango: Comprises peel, pulp, and stone (which encloses the seed).

Anatomical Structure: Cells and Organelles

Plant cells consist of a cell wall, plasma membrane, cytoplasm, and organelles.
Chloroplasts: Contain carotenoid pigments; abnormal cells may accumulate more starch.
Mitochondrion: Powerhouse of the cell; site of respiration, featuring a double membrane with cristae.
Vacuole: Stores water and waste; maintains turgidity and pushes organelles against the cell wall.

Tissue System Overview

Tissues are grouped primarily into dermal and fundamental tissue systems; vascular system includes phloem and xylem.
Dermal system: Protects plants from injury and temperature changes; continuous from roots to leaves.
Fundamental system: Responsible for texture and synthesis, including pigment formation.
Vascular system: Conducts nutrients (phloem) and water (xylem) throughout the plant.

The Dermal System

Also known as the epidermis; includes parts like stomata, lenticels, and emergences (hairs/spines).
In stems and roots, a thicker protective layer called periderm forms due to secondary growth.

Specific Morphological Parts in Vegetables

Asparagus: The spear is the edible part, representing a young stem tip.
Potato: Modified stem (tuber) with eyes (dormant buds) for new growth.
Tomato: Features include the blossom end, stem scar, and pulp covered by a thin peel.

Summary of Fruit Structures

Citrus Fruits: Notable for their distinct rind and inner juice vesicles.
Pineapple: Characterized by a crown of leaves, eyes, and a hard shell surrounding the core.
Lanzones: Fruits develop in clusters (bunches).
Rambutan: Notable for long soft hairs enclosing the seed and aril.

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Description

Explore the morpho-anatomical aspects of postharvest technologies in this quiz. Learn how environmental factors and handling practices affect agricultural commodities after harvest. Test your understanding of the intricate responses of commodities to various influences.