Final answer:
The funiculus is the stalk that connects the ovule to the ovary wall, serving as a conduit for nutrients (option b).
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the reproductive structures within the ovary of a flowering plant. Specifically, it asks for the definition of the funiculus. The funiculus is, in fact, the stalk that connects the ovule to the ovary wall. This stalk is crucial as it provides the pathway for nutrient transfer between the plant's tissue and the developing ovule. During the development of the seed, the funiculus sometimes remains as a visible scar, known as the hilum.
Therefore, the correct answer to the question is that the funiculus is b. the stalk of the ovule.