Final answer:
Leaving a banana in cold temperatures overnight will slow its decay because refrigeration slows chemical reactions. Although the banana peel may turn brown, indicating cell breakdown in the skin, the internal ripening process is decelerated due to reduced ethylene production.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a banana is left in cold temperatures overnight, the correct answer is c) It will decay more slowly. This is because refrigeration slows chemical reactions, including the maturation process of fruits. Bananas, like other fruits, produce ethylene gas which promotes ripening. At lower temperatures, the production and effect of ethylene are reduced, which slows down the ripening process. If a banana is left in a very cold environment, such as a freezer, it can indeed become frozen, which will drastically change its texture once thawed. However, refrigeration, which is less extreme than freezing, primarily serves to preserve the fruit by slowing decay.
It is essential to note that refrigerating bananas can create a visual misconception. While the cooling process slows ripening internally, the banana peel can turn brown in the refrigerator due to the breakdown of cell walls in the skin at colder temperatures. Nonetheless, the banana inside typically remains firmer and less ripe than it would at room temperature.