Prepare for NEET Biology Morphology of Flowering Plants with MCQs & PYQs on NEET.GUIDE. Get free practice, previous year questions, and expert explanations of plant structures.
A mutation in a plant affects the development of its palisade parenchyma, significantly reducing the number and length of these cells. Which of the following would be the MOST DIRECT consequence of this mutation on photosynthesis?
Increased rate of photorespiration due to higher oxygen concentration.
Reduced CO2 fixation by RuBisCO in the mesophyll cells.
Decreased light absorption and reduced efficiency of the light-dependent reactions.
Impaired transport of sugars from the source to the sink.
Which structural feature of guard cells facilitates their function in stomatal regulation MOST effectively?
Uniformly thickened cell walls.
Radially oriented cellulose microfibrils in the cell walls.
Large central vacuole for water storage.
Presence of chloroplasts for photosynthesis.
A plant exhibits a unique inflorescence where the peduncle is flattened and bears sessile flowers in a centripetal fashion. Small, scaly bracts are present, and the oldest flowers are located at the periphery. This type of inflorescence is MOST accurately classified as a:
Cyathium
Hypanthodium
Capitulum
Verticillaster
Which of the following combinations of inflorescence types and their branching patterns is INCORRECT?
Raceme - monopodial
Umbel - monopodial
Spadix - dichasial cyme
Cyme - sympodial
In a hypothetical plant species, the inflorescence exhibits a unique combination of features: a condensed cymose head surrounded by an involucre of brightly colored bracts that mimic petals. The individual flowers within the head are inconspicuous. Which existing inflorescence type does this MOST closely resemble, and what evolutionary advantage might this unique structure offer?
Cyathium; protection from herbivores
Hypanthodium; trap for pollinators
Capitulum; enhanced pollinator attraction
Verticillaster; increased seed dispersal
A researcher observes an inflorescence where the main axis terminates in a flower, and further growth occurs through lateral branches, each of which also terminates in a flower. This pattern repeats multiple times. However, the flowers at each branching point are not at the same level. This inflorescence is BEST described as a:
Racemose
Umbel
Monochasium
Capitulum/Head
Differentiating between a thyrse and a mixed inflorescence can be challenging. Which of the following statements BEST distinguishes a thyrse from a truly mixed inflorescence?
A thyrse always has a determinate main axis, while a mixed inflorescence always has an indeterminate main axis.
A thyrse has a cymose arrangement of racemose units, while a mixed inflorescence combines different inflorescence types randomly.
A thyrse always has brightly colored bracts, while a mixed inflorescence lacks bracts.
A thyrse has a racemose arrangement of cymose units, while a mixed inflorescence combines different inflorescence types in a less predictable pattern.
Consider a plant with a compound umbel inflorescence. If each ray of the main umbel bears a small, condensed cyme instead of a single flower, how would this modified inflorescence be BEST classified, and what advantage might this structure confer?
Cyme of umbels; enhanced seed dispersal
Compound raceme of umbels; protection from herbivores
Compound umbel of cymes; increased flower number and display area
Hypanthodium; trap for pollinators
A rare orchid species exhibits a highly specialized pollination mechanism. Its labellum mimics the pheromones and appearance of a specific female wasp species, attracting the males for pseudocopulation. Which of the following floral adaptations is LEAST likely to be observed in this orchid?
Abundant nectar production within the spur
Precise positioning of pollen packets (pollinia) for attachment to the male wasp
Flower color and shape closely resembling the female wasp
Flowering period synchronized with the mating season of the wasp
In a particular angiosperm species, the development of the endosperm is initiated only after fertilization of the central cell. However, a mutation leads to autonomous endosperm development even without fertilization. Which of the following is the MOST likely consequence of this mutation?
Enhanced seed viability and germination rate
Formation of seeds with underdeveloped embryos or no embryos at all
Increased fruit size and seed number
Premature fruit ripening and abscission
