Anatomy of Flowering Plants
6 solved NEET Biology previous year questions on Anatomy of Flowering Plants, each with the correct answer and a full explanation.
Q1
Pith and cortex do not differentiate in
✓ Correct answer: a) monocot stem
ExplanationIn a monocot stem, the ground tissue is not distinctly differentiated into cortex, endodermis, pericycle, and pith as seen in dicot stems and roots.Instead, it forms a uniform mass of parenchymatous cells.The vascular bundles are scattered throughout the ground tissue and not arranged in a ring.Due to this scattered arrangement and lack of specific organization, distinct pith and cortex regions are absent.In contrast, dicot stems and both monocot and dicot roots show clear differentiation of ground tissues into cortex, endodermis, pericycle, and pith.Hence, monocot stems lack distinct pith and cortex.
Q2
A major characteristic of monocot root is the presence of;
✓ Correct answer: a) vasculature without cambium.
ExplanationCorrect answer: A — vasculature without cambium ✅ In monocot roots, the vascular bundles are closed (no cambium), so secondary growth is absent.
Q3
Grass leaves curl inwards during very dry weather. Select the most appropriate reason from the following. [NEET 2019]
✓ Correct answer: c) Flaccidity of bulliform cells
ExplanationGrass leaves have bulliform cells (also called motor cells) located in grooves on the upper epidermis of the leaf.These cells are large and thin-walled and play a role in water conservation.During dry weather, water loss causes these bulliform cells to become flaccid.This loss of turgor pressure causes the leaf to curl inward, reducing the surface area exposed to sunlight and air, thereby minimizing water loss through transpiration.
Q4
Given below are two statements: Statement I : Parenchyma is living but collenchyma is dead tissue. Statement II : Gymnosperms lack xylem vessels but presence of xylem vessels is the characteristic of angiosperms. In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below: [NEET 2024]
✓ Correct answer: a) Statement I is false but Statement II is true
ExplanationStatement I is false: Collenchyma is a living tissue, not dead.It provides mechanical support to growing parts of plants.Statement II is true: Gymnosperms lack xylem vessels, while angiosperms have xylem vessels, which is a distinguishing feature.
Q5
Casparian strip occurs in a:
✓ Correct answer: a) Endodermis
ExplanationThe correct option is A. Endodermis.The Casparian strip is a distinctive feature found in the endodermis, which is the innermost layer of the cortex in the roots of vascular plants.It is a band-like thickening on the radial and transverse walls of the endodermal cells, composed primarily of a waxy, water-impermeable substance called suberin, and sometimes lignin.The primary function of the Casparian strip is to act as a barrier, blocking the passive flow of water and dissolved solutes through the cell walls (apoplastic pathway) into the vascular cylinder (stele).B. Exodermis: The exodermis is the outer layer of the root cortex and while it also has a role in regulating water flow and protection, it does not typically contain Casparian strips in the same way the endodermis does.C. Pericycle: The pericycle is a layer of cells located just inside the endodermis, surrounding the vascular tissue.It is involved in the formation of lateral roots, but its cells do not have Casparian strips.D. Epidermis: The epidermis is the outermost protective layer of cells in the plant.Its outer walls are often covered with a waxy cuticle (in stems and leaves, not typically in roots), but it does not contain Casparian strips.
Q6
Given below are two statements: Statement I : In a dicotyledonous leaf, the adaxial epidermis generally bears more stomata than the abaxial epidermis. Statement II: In a dicotyledonous leaf, the adaxially placed palisade parenchyma is made up of elongated cells, which are arranged vertically and parallel to each other. In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below: [Re-NEET 2024]
✓ Correct answer: b) Statement I is false but Statement II is true
ExplanationStatement I: In a dicotyledonous leaf, the adaxial epidermis generally bears more stomata than the abaxial epidermis.This statement is false.In dicot leaves, the abaxial (lower) epidermis usually bears more stomata than the adaxial (upper) epidermis to reduce water loss.Statement II: In a dicotyledonous leaf, the adaxially placed palisade parenchyma is made up of elongated cells, which are arranged vertically and parallel to each other.This statement is true.Palisade parenchyma lies below the upper epidermis and consists of vertically elongated, closely packed cells rich in chloroplasts.Thus, Statement I is false, but Statement II is true.Correct answer: B
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