Biology · Science General

Botany and Plant Science

5,038 Questions

Botany and plant science delve into the biological study of plant life, covering structural anatomy, physiological processes, and reproductive mechanisms. Key topics include inflorescence patterns, root modifications, and seed development, which are vital for biology sections in medical entrance exams. This collection of practice questions helps solidify understanding of complex plant functions.

Plant ReproductionPlant AnatomyRoot ModificationsInflorescence PatternsPlant Morphology

Botany and Plant Science Questions

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements regarding Bi-collateral bundle: (a) Single patch of phloem are present. (b) Xylem is surrounded by phloem both on the inner as well as on the outer sides. (c) Single cambium strip present between the xylem and phloem. Which of the above statements is/are correct?

  1. Only (a)

  2. Only (b)

  3. Only (c)

  4. All of these

  5. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Statement (b) is correct. Xylem is surrounded by phloem both on the inner as well as on the outer sides.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements: (a) In an Amphivasal vascular bundle, the center is occupied by phloem and is surrounded by xylem. (b) Primary phloem is derived from pro-cambium and differentiated into proto-phloem and meta-phloem. (c) In conjoint vascular bundles, the xylem and phloem are found in separate groups and placed on different radii. Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?

  1. Only (a)

  2. Only (b)

  3. Only (c)

  4. All of the above

  5. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Statement (c) is incorrect. In radial vascular bundles, not conjoint vascular bundles, the xylem and phloem are found in separate groups and placed on different radii, e.g., dicot and monocot roots.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements regarding interfascicular cambium: (a) It is a primary meristem. (b) It is present in the primary stem within the vascular bundles. (c) It is derived from the pro-cambium of stem's apical meristem. Which of the above statements is/are correct?

  1. Only (a)

  2. Only (b)

  3. Only (c)

  4. All of the above

  5. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

Statement (a) is incorrect. It is a secondary meristem. Statement (b) is incorrect. It develops at the time of secondary growth. Statement (c) is incorrect. It develops from the permanent cells of primary medullary rays through differentiation.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements regarding Root apex: (a) It develops from permanent tissue which regains the power of division. (b) Cells are isodiametric and without large vacuoles. (c) It forms primary tissue except intra-fascicular cambium. (d) It results in primary growth. Which of the above statements is incorrect?

  1. Only (a)

  2. Only (b)

  3. Only (c)

  4. Only (d)

  5. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Statement (a) is incorrect. It develops from promeristem, not permanent tissue.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements: Lateral roots originate A. endogenously B. from pericycle cells C. exogenously D. from endodermal cells

Which of these statements are correct?

  1. A and B

  2. C and D

  3. A and D

  4. B and C
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Lateral roots originate from within the root (endogenously) specifically from pericycle cells. Pericycle is a layer of cells located just inside the endodermis, and these cells retain meristematic potential to form lateral roots. The other options incorrectly state exogenous origin or wrong tissue origin.

Multiple choice

Which of the following types of adventitious root modifications is found in Dahlia?

  1. Tuberous roots

  2. Fasciculated roots

  3. Nodulose roots

  4. Moniliform
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Dahlia has fasciculated roots, which are characterized by a cluster of swollen tuberous roots arising from the base of the stem. Unlike single tuberous roots (like in sweet potato), fasciculated roots form a bunch-like structure. This is a specialized adventitious root modification for food storage.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a characteristic of plant cell walls?

  1. They are found only in the sporophyte phase of life cycle.

  2. Among other compounds, they contain compounds built of simple sugars.

  3. They may contain enzymes that are biologically active.

  4. They often contain strengthening polymers.

  5. A site of active secretion.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Plant cell walls are present in BOTH sporophyte and gametophyte phases of the plant life cycle, not just the sporophyte. This makes option A incorrect and thus the answer to 'which is NOT a characteristic'. Cell walls contain sugar-based compounds (cellulose), can have active enzymes, and contain strengthening polymers (lignin).

Multiple choice

In plant roots, the casparian strip is correctly described by which of the following?

  1. It is located in the walls between endodermal cells and cortex cells.

  2. It provides energy for the active transport of minerals into the vascular bundle from the cortex.

  3. It ensures that all minerals are absorbed from the soil in equal amounts.

  4. It ensures that all water and dissolved substances must pass through a cell before entering the vascular bundle.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Casparian strip is a waterproof band made of suberin around endodermal cells. It blocks the apoplastic pathway, forcing all water and dissolved minerals to pass THROUGH the cytoplasm of endodermal cells (symplastic pathway) before entering the vascular bundle. This provides selective control over nutrient uptake.

Multiple choice

Which of the following meristems is responsible for extrastelar secondary growth in dictyledonous stem?

  1. Interfascicular cambium

  2. Intercalary meristem

  3. Phellogen

  4. Intrafascicular cambium
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Phellogen (cork cambium) is the meristem responsible for extrastelar secondary growth - it produces cork (phellem) outward and secondary cortex (phelloderm) inward. Interfascicular cambium is intrastelar, intercalary meristem is for primary growth at internodes, and intrafascicular cambium is part of the vascular cambium within the vascular bundle.

Multiple choice

Which of the following pairs of plants show modification of axillary buds into tendrils and hooks respectively? I. Hugonia II. Duranta III. Passiflora IV. Dioscorea

  1. I and II

  2. II and III

  3. III and I

  4. IV and I
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Passiflora (passion flower) has tendrils modified from axillary buds for climbing, while Hugonia has hooks modified from axillary buds. Duranta and Dioscorea are not paired correctly in the other options. This is an example of how axillary buds can modify into different climbing structures in different plants.

Multiple choice

Resin duct of a gymnospermous stem is an example of

  1. big vacuole

  2. intercellular space

  3. lysigenous cavity

  4. schizogenous cavity
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Schizogenous cavity is formed either by the separation of neighbouring cell or by disintegration of cells, e.g. resin ducts of gymnosperms.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is true for primary xylem in a dicot root showing extensive secondary growth?

  1. It is retained in the centre of the axis.

  2. It gets crushed.

  3. It gets surrounded by primary phloem.

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

During extensive secondary growth in dicot roots, the primary xylem remains in the center of the axis and is NOT crushed. Secondary vascular tissues are formed around it, but the central primary xylem persists. This is distinct from primary phloem which gets crushed during secondary growth.