Final answer:
Removing a mushy apple from a batch prevents the spread of ethylene gas, which is a ripening agent that can cause other apples to spoil quicker. Refrigeration and proper ventilation are also important for preserving the freshness of apples by slowing down ripening and removing ethylene.
Step-by-step explanation:
Removing an overripe, mushy apple from a container of otherwise good apples helps preserve the remaining apples because the overripe apple produces high levels of ethylene gas. Ethylene is a plant hormone that acts as a ripening agent, and when one apple starts producing it in larger amounts, that can expedite the ripening, and potentially the overripening, of the surrounding fruits. This is due to the fact that ethylene is a gas and can diffuse through the air, affecting nearby fruits.
Refrigeration and ventilation are common methods for preserving freshness of fruits. Refrigeration slows down the chemical reactions that lead to ripening, while proper ventilation can remove ethylene gas from the environment around the fruits, both helping to maintain freshness and delay overripening.
It is similar to how food preservatives work to maintain safety and freshness, by slowing down spoilage caused by various factors including air, bacteria, and molds. Preservatives like antioxidants keep cut fruits from turning brown when exposed to air and prevent fats from going rancid. By removing a source of ethylene, you are preventing accelerated ripening and spoilage, much like how preservatives function to extend shelf life of foods.