AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Presence of ethylene gas causes fruits to ripen. As fruit ripens, it produces increasing amounts of ethylene.

Detailed explanation-2: -Some apple varieties such as McIntosh, produce prodigious amounts of ethylene and are difficult to store once this occurs. When harvested after the rapid rise in ethylene, they quickly soften and senesce in storage. Other varieties have a slower rise in ethylene and slower ripening rate.

Detailed explanation-3: -Ethylene is a gaseous plant hormone that plays an important role in inducing the ripening process for many fruits, together with other hormones and signals. An unripe fruit generally has low levels of ethylene. As the fruit matures, ethylene is produced as a signal to induce fruit ripening.

Detailed explanation-4: -Apples produce a gas called ethylene on ripening. People are often shocked to hear this as it does sound somewhat mysterious and unappetizing but have no fear; ethylene is a natural plant hormone that sets off the ripening process.

Detailed explanation-5: -A rotten apple spoils the whole barrel. That’s not just an old adage, it’s a scientific fact. And it all has to do with ethylene, a gas produced internally by a fruit to stimulate ripening. Basically, ethylene is a plant hormone.