The correct option is (a).
Explanation
Natural fibres, which are essentially biopolymers (cellulose or protein-based), require specific mechanical or biological processes to separate the usable fibre from the raw plant or animal source.Statement 1 is Correct: Ginning is the process used to separate cotton fibres from the cotton seeds. Traditionally done by hand, it is now performed using machines called gins. Cotton is a cellulosic biopolymer.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: Retting is a process associated with bast fibres like jute and flax. It involves submerging the plant stems in water to allow bacteria to decompose the pectin (gum) holding the fibres together, facilitating their separation. Silk fibres are separated from the cocoon through a process called reeling (or boiling to soften the sericin gum).
Statement 3 is Incorrect: Shearing is the process of removing the fleece (hair) from the body of a sheep or other wool-yielding animals. It is not used for silk. As mentioned above, silk is obtained by boiling cocoons and unwinding the fibre.
Key Takeaway: Distinct terms define fibre extraction: Ginning for cotton (seed separation), Retting for jute (stem decomposition), Shearing for wool (fleece removal), and Reeling for silk (cocoon unwinding).