How Does fruit ripen even after cut from their plant ?

Question

Fruit like papaya might take time to ripen, and when harvested early, doing superficial cuts along the fruit helps it go faster. Like wise wrapping some fruit in newspaper like avocado can help them ripen faster. How does this happen? Where does the fruit get its nutrients after cut?

In: Biology

Answer 1

Ethylene, which is a gas/ chemical emitted from the fruit itself. Wrapping the fruit or putting it in a paper bag concentrates ethylene, speeding up ripening.