Arizona State University (ASU) Biology of Plants Exam 1 Practice

Carpels form the female reproductive structure, the gynoecium. A carpel is a modified leaf rolled or folded to enclose ovules, and the gynoecium is the collective arrangement of these carpels. Inside each carpel is an ovary that contains ovules; after fertilization, these ovules develop into seeds and the ovary often becomes the fruit. The stigma and style are parts of the pathway for pollen to reach the ovules. The other floral parts have different roles: sepals protect the bud, petals attract pollinators, and stamens are the male reproductive organs that produce pollen. So the carpels are the correct choice because they constitute the female reproductive structure.