Arrange the stages in the life cycle of a flowering plant in the correct order from earliest to latest. a) Seed b) Fruit c) Plant (seedling to mature) d) Stem (shoot development) e) Flower

Introduction / Context:
A standard angiosperm life cycle proceeds from seed germination to vegetative growth and then to reproduction. The correct understanding of this sequence is fundamental to biology, agriculture, and gardening. Each stage provides capabilities required by later stages: vegetative organs support energy capture, flowers enable reproduction, and fruits protect and disperse seeds.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Seed germinates to form a young plant.
• Stem development is part of vegetative growth.
• Flowering precedes fruiting.
• Fruit contains or develops from fertilized ovules and aids seed dispersal.

Concept / Approach:
Use biological dependencies: germination must occur before any shoot or stem development. Flowering requires a mature plant with adequate energy reserves supported by stems and leaves. Fruits set after pollination and fertilization of flowers. Therefore the logical order is seed -> plant -> stem development -> flower -> fruit.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Seed (a) germinates.Step 2: Plant (c) grows vegetatively.Step 3: Stem (d) develops as part of the shoot system.Step 4: Flower (e) forms for reproduction.Step 5: Fruit (b) develops after successful fertilization.

Verification / Alternative check:
In agricultural practice, flowering time is tracked only after adequate vegetative growth. Fruit set metrics are computed post flowering, reinforcing the dependency order chosen here.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• a, c, e, d, b: Putting flower before stem development is unrealistic.
• a, e, c, d, b: Flower cannot precede plant growth.
• c, a, d, e, b: A plant cannot exist before the seed germinates.
• a, d, c, e, b: Stem development is a component of plant growth, not a precursor to it.

Common Pitfalls:
Equating plant and stem as separate sequential entities when stem growth is part of vegetative development. Another error is to reverse flowers and fruits; fruit formation necessarily follows flowering.

Final Answer:
a, c, d, e, b