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Botany Plant Physiology

Asked 15 times in UPSC Prelims · first asked 1995 · last asked 2025

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All 15 questions

Newest first — expand for options, answers, and explanations

Consider the following pairs: Plant - Description: I. Cassava - Woody shrub II. Ginger - Herb with pseudostem III. Malabar spinach - Herbaceous climber IV. Mint - Annual shrub V. Papaya - Woody shrub. How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

2025Sci & Tech
AOnly two
BOnly three
COnly four
DAll the five

Explanation

Cassava is a shrubby perennial plant, not a woody shrub. Ginger is a herb with a pseudostem, which is correct. Malabar spinach is a herbaceous climber, which is also correct. Mint is a perennial herb, not an annual shrub. Papaya is a tree-like herbaceous plant, not a woody shrub. Therefore, only three pairs are correctly matched.

The phenomenon of stomata closing during bright light and opening during darkness is found in

2019Sci & Tech
Aall plants
Bdesert plants
Caquatic plants
Depiphytic plants

Explanation

Certain plants, specifically those that utilize CAM (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism) such as desert plants, exhibit the behavior of opening their stomata during nighttime and closing them during daytime to save water. This phenomenon is not observed in all plants, aquatic plants, or epiphytic plants.

Which one of the following is the process involved in photosynthesis?

2014Sci & Tech
APotential energy is released to form free energy
BFree energy is converted into potential energy and stored
CFood is oxidized to release carbon dioxide and water
DOxygen is taken, and carbon dioxide and water vapour are given out

Explanation

In the process of photosynthesis, free energy is transformed into potential energy and then stored.

Many transplanted seedlings do not grow because:

2013Sci & Tech
Athe new soil does not contain favorable minerals
Bmost of the root hairs grip the new soil too hard
Cmost of the root hairs are lost during transplantation
Dleaves get damaged during transplantation

Explanation

When seedlings are transplanted, their delicate roots can be damaged by the disturbance caused during the process. These tiny root hairs can go into shock, affecting the plant's ability to adapt to the new soil. As a result, the transplanted seedlings may struggle to establish themselves and may even die due to the loss of these root hairs.

Many transplanted seedlings do not grow because

2013Sci & Tech
Athe new soil does not contain favourable minerals
Bmost of the root hairs grip the new soil too hard
Cmost of the root hairs are lost during transplantation
Dleaves get damaged during transplantation

Explanation

When seedlings are transplanted, their fine roots are damaged, resulting in the loss of root hairs. This can cause the plant to struggle to readjust to its new environment, leading to a risk of drying up and ultimately dying. This is why many transplanted seedlings do not grow successfully.

Which of the following leaf modifications occurs/occur in desert areas to inhibit water loss? 1. Hard and waxy leaves 2. Tiny leaves or no leaves 3. Thorns instead of leaves. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

2013Sci & Tech
A1 and 2 only
B2 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Explanation

In desert environments, plants have adapted to reduce water loss by having leaves that are hard and waxy, being very small or even lacking leaves altogether, and having thorns in place of leaves. These modifications help desert plants conserve water effectively.

Which of the following leaf modifications occur(s) in the desert areas to inhibit water loss? 1. Hard and waxy leaves 2. Tiny leaves 3. Thorns instead of leaves Select the correct answer using the code given below:

2012Sci & Tech
A2 and 3 only
B2 only
C3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Explanation

In desert areas, plants have evolved certain leaf modifications to prevent water loss. These include having hard and waxy leaves that are waterproof when the stomata are closed, reducing surface area by having tiny leaves or no leaves at all to conserve water, and some plants have thorns instead of leaves. These adaptations help desert plants survive in arid conditions by minimizing water loss.

Which of the following leaf modifications occur(s) in the desert areas to inhibit water loss? 1. Hard and waxy leaves 2. Tiny leaves 3. Thorns instead of leaves Select the correct answer using the code given below:

2012Sci & Tech
A2 and 3 only
B2 only
C3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Explanation

In desert areas, plants have evolved certain leaf modifications to reduce water loss. These include having hard and waxy leaves, tiny leaves, and thorns instead of leaves. These adaptations help desert plants to conserve water effectively. The correct answer is option (d), which includes all three modifications.

When the bark of a tree is removed in a circular fashion all around near its base, it gradually dries up and dies because?

2011Sci & Tech
AWater from soil cannot rise to aerial parts
BRoots are starved of energy
CTree is infected by soil microbes
DRoots do not receive oxygen for respiration

Explanation

Removing the bark of a tree in a circular manner near its base causes it to dry up and die because the roots are deprived of energy. This prevents water from the soil from reaching the aerial parts, leading to the tree's demise. The phloem layer of tissue beneath the bark is vital for transporting nutrients from the leaves to the roots.

Consider the following statements: 1. Sweet orange plant is propagated by grafting technique. 2. Jasmine plant is propagated by layering technique. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

2004Sci & Tech
A1 only
B2 only
CBoth 1 and 2
DNeither 1 nor 2

Explanation

Both statements are accurate. Sweet orange plants are typically propagated using grafting, while jasmine plants are propagated using layering.

Which one of the following phenomena is exhibited by Chrysanthemum plants?

2002Sci & Tech
AApomixis
BPolyploidy
CPleiotropy
DPolyteny

Explanation

Polyploidy is a phenomenon where cells and organisms have more than the usual two sets of paired chromosomes, leading to the control of multiple characteristics. This is the phenomenon exhibited by Chrysanthemum plants.

Which one of the following is a useful functional association between fungi and the roots of higher plants?

1999Sci & Tech
ABiofertilizer
BCoralloid root
CLichen
DMycorrhiza

Explanation

Mycorrhiza is a beneficial partnership between fungi and the roots of higher plants that aids in the absorption of nutrients.

It is possible to produce seedless tomato fruits by

1996Sci & Tech
Aapplying trace elements in tomato fields
Bspraying mineral solution on plants
Cspraying hormones on flowers
Dapplying fertilizers containing radioactive elements

Explanation

Seedless tomato fruits can be created by applying hormones such as auxins on the flowers, which stimulate parthenocarpy.

Which one of the following is a modified stem?

1996Sci & Tech
ACarrot
BSweet potato
CCoconut
DPotato

Explanation

The correct answer is option (d) Potato. It is a modified stem known as a tuber. Carrot and sweet potato, on the other hand, are modified roots. Coconut, however, is classified as a fruit.

Most of the desert plants bloom during night time because

1995Sci & Tech
Atheir blooming is controlled by low temperature
Bthey are sensitive to the phases of moon
Cthe desert insects eat away flowers during day time
Dthe desert insects are active during night time

Explanation

Desert plants often bloom at night because the insects that pollinate them are most active during the nighttime in desert environments.