Question

Fruit wrapped in paper ripens faster than when kept in open air because

• A. heat of respiration is retained better
• B. a chemical in the paper helps fruit ripening
• C. a volatile substance produced by the fruit is retained better and helps in ripening
• D. the fruit is cut off from the ambient oxygen which is an inhibitor to fruit ripening

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

The paper serves to trap the ethylene (a volatile gas) given off by the fruit in a layer around it rather than let it dissipate. This gas causes the plant tissue to chemically relax and begins breaking down faster, hence the effect of ripening quicker.