In flowering plants, which structures are the male and female reproductive organs respectively?

• A. Petals and sepals
• B. Xylem and phloem
• C. Stamen and carpel
• D. Cortex and epidermis

Answer: (C)

The male and female reproductive structures in flowering plants are the stamen and the carpel. The stamen is the male organ, made up of the filament that supports the anther where pollen is produced. The carpel is the female organ, consisting of the stigma that captures pollen, the style that pollen travels through, and the ovary that contains ovules which develop into seeds after fertilization. Petals and sepals are floral organs that help attract pollinators and protect the developing bud, but they are not reproductive structures themselves. Xylem and phloem are vascular tissues for transporting water and nutrients, while cortex and epidermis are tissue layers not involved in reproduction.