When faced with symbolic notation, start by decoding one element (e.g., the number and arrangement of petals) and use it to eliminate options quickly. Petal count and fusion are often the easiest features to spot.
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question uses a symbolic notation known as a floral formula to describe the structure of a flower. We need to decode the formula and apply the transformation from the first flower to the second to determine the final structure.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
The floral formula symbols represent different parts of a flower:
K = Calyx (sepals - the green leaf-like parts).
C = Corolla (petals - the colored parts).
A = Androecium (stamens - the male reproductive organs, yellow dots on stalks).
G = Gynoecium (pistil/carpels - the female reproductive organ at the center).
The number following the letter indicates the quantity of that part. Parentheses indicate fusion. Arcs indicate adnation (fusion between different whorls).
Step 3: Detailed Explanation: Decoding the First Flower's Formula and Image:
Formula: \(K_{(4)+1} \ C_5 \ A_{4+1} \ G_5\)
Image shows:
Sepals (K): There are 5 green sepals. The formula says \(K_{(4)+1}\), which means 4 are fused and 1 is separate. This matches the image where four are grouped and one is slightly apart.
Petals (C): There are 5 blue petals. Formula: \(C_5\). Match.
Stamens (A): There are 5 yellow stamens. Formula: \(A_{4+1}\). This implies two groups of 4 and 1. The arc from C to A indicates the stamens are attached to the petals. Match.
Gynoecium (G): The central part. Formula: \(G_5\). Match.
Decoding the Second Flower's Formula:
Formula: \(K_{(3)+(2)+1} \ C_{(5)+1} \ A_{1+2+3} \ G_3\)
Let's find the structure this represents:
Sepals (K): \(K_{(3)+(2)+1}\) means there are \(3+2+1=6\) sepals in total, arranged in three groups: a fused group of 3, a fused group of 2, and 1 separate sepal.
Petals (C): \(C_{(5)+1}\) means there are \(5+1=6\) petals in total, with 5 fused together and 1 separate.
Stamens (A): \(A_{1+2+3}\) means there are \(1+2+3=6\) stamens in three groups. The arc from C to A means the stamens are attached to the petals.
Gynoecium (G): \(G_3\) means 3 pistils/carpels in the center.
Matching with Options:
Now we look for the image that matches the second formula:
Petals (C): We need 6 petals, with 5 fused and 1 separate.
Option A has 5 petals. Incorrect.
Option B has 6 petals, but they are all separate. Incorrect.
Option C has 6 petals, with 5 fused into a bell shape and 1 separate. This matches \(C_{(5)+1}\).
Option D has 6 petals, all fused together. Incorrect.
Sepals (K): Option C shows 6 sepals, arranged as a group of 3, a group of 2, and 1 single. This matches \(K_{(3)+(2)+1}\).
Stamens (A): Option C shows 6 stamens attached to the petals, in groups. This matches the formula.
Step 4: Final Answer:
Option C is the only one that correctly depicts 6 petals with 5 fused and 1 free (\(C_{(5)+1}\)) and the corresponding arrangement of 6 sepals (\(K_{(3)+(2)+1}\)).
