Final answer:
Maturity assessment in carcass grading considers marbling and color, fat thickness and distribution, and the texture and firmness of the meat, which are all critical indicators of meat quality.
Step-by-step explanation:
Maturity assessment during carcass grading looks at physical characteristics such as marbling and color, fat thickness and distribution, and the texture and firmness of the meat. This means that the correct answer to the question is 4) All of the above. Maturity assessment involves evaluating various aspects of the meat to determine its quality. Factors like the degree of marbling, the meat's color, the distribution and thickness of fat, and the texture and firmness are all taken into account. These characteristics are crucial because they can affect the meat's flavor, tenderness, and overall appeal to consumers. Moreover, controlled factors such as temperature can impact these characteristics and, consequently, the meat's commercial value and ecological roles like seed dispersal.