Foods – Field to Table Exam 1 Practice 2026 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

Ethylene gas acts as a ripening hormone in plants, and many fruits emit it as they mature. The fruits listed are classic examples known to release noticeable quantities of ethylene as they ripen, which can then accelerate the ripening of other nearby fruit. Apples and bananas are especially strong ethylene producers, and tomatoes and melons are well-established climacteric fruits that emit ethylene during ripening. Citrus fruits also release ethylene, though often at lower levels. Because this combination is commonly cited as a group of ethylene producers, it’s the best answer when considering how ripening signals spread among gathered fruits. This is also why producers and stores sometimes separate ethylene-emitting fruits from ethylene-sensitive ones to control shelf life.