Plant Reproduction Practice Questions
20 free Plant Reproduction practice questions for the General Science. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
Which part of the flower develops into a fruit after fertilization?
- A Ovule
- B Stigma
- C Ovary
- D Anther
Correct answer: Ovary
After fertilization, the ovary ripens and develops into the fruit. This structure protects the seeds and often aids in their dispersal.
The transfer of pollen grains from the anther to the stigma of the same flower is called:
- A Allogamy
- B Autogamy
- C Geitonogamy
- D Xenogamy
Correct answer: Autogamy
Autogamy is a type of self-pollination where pollen is transferred to the stigma of the same flower. This process does not require external pollinators but results in lower genetic diversity.
What is the term for the fusion of one male gamete with the egg cell and another male gamete with the secondary nucleus in angiosperms?
- A Syngamy
- B Triple fusion
- C Double fertilization
- D Primary endosperm formation
Correct answer: Double fertilization
Double fertilization is a unique characteristic of flowering plants. It involves syngamy (forming a zygote) and triple fusion (forming the primary endosperm nucleus).
Which of the following is a characteristic feature of wind-pollinated (anemophilous) flowers?
- A Brightly colored petals
- B Production of nectar
- C Large, feathery stigmas
- D Strong fragrance
Correct answer: Large, feathery stigmas
Wind-pollinated flowers have feathery stigmas to easily trap wind-borne pollen grains. They typically lack bright colors and nectar since they do not need to attract animal pollinators.
In bryophytes and pteridophytes, what is the primary medium required for the transfer of male gametes to the female reproductive organ?
- A Insects
- B Wind
- C Water
- D Birds
Correct answer: Water
Bryophytes and pteridophytes require water for fertilization. The flagellated male gametes (antherozoids) must swim through a film of water to reach the egg in the archegonium.
What is the ploidy level of the endosperm in most angiosperms?
- A Haploid (n)
- B Diploid (2n)
- C Triploid (3n)
- D Tetraploid (4n)
Correct answer: Triploid (3n)
The endosperm is formed by triple fusion, which is the fusion of one haploid male gamete with a diploid secondary nucleus. This results in a triploid tissue that provides nourishment to the developing embryo.
Vegetative propagation in ginger occurs primarily through which structure?
- A Bulb
- B Rhizome
- C Stem tuber
- D Runner
Correct answer: Rhizome
Ginger reproduces vegetatively through a rhizome, which is a modified underground stem. It grows horizontally and contains nodes from which new shoots and roots emerge.
Flowers that never open and ensure self-pollination are known as:
- A Chasmogamous flowers
- B Cleistogamous flowers
- C Dioecious flowers
- D Self-incompatible flowers
Correct answer: Cleistogamous flowers
Cleistogamous flowers remain closed, making self-pollination inevitable. This ensures seed set even in the absence of pollinators, though it limits genetic variation.
The production of seeds without fertilization is a process called:
- A Amphimixis
- B Parthenocarpy
- C Apomixis
- D Syngamy
Correct answer: Apomixis
Apomixis is a form of asexual reproduction that mimics sexual reproduction by producing seeds without fertilization. This allows plants to produce maternal clones through seeds.
Which part of the pollen grain is made of sporopollenin, one of the most resistant organic materials known?
- A Intine
- B Germ pore
- C Vegetative cell
- D Exine
Correct answer: Exine
The exine is the outer layer of the pollen grain. Sporopollenin allows pollen to withstand high temperatures, strong acids, and enzymatic degradation, helping it survive in diverse environmental conditions.
What is the function of the filiform apparatus in the embryo sac?
- A To nourish the egg cell
- B To guide the entry of the pollen tube into the synergid
- C To prevent self-pollination
- D To stimulate the formation of the endosperm after double fertilization
Correct answer: To guide the entry of the pollen tube into the synergid
The filiform apparatus is a finger-like projection of the synergid wall. It plays a crucial role in chemical signaling to guide the pollen tube toward the egg for fertilization.
A fruit developed from an unfertilized ovary is called a:
- A True fruit
- B False fruit
- C Parthenocarpic fruit
- D Simple dehiscent fruit
Correct answer: Parthenocarpic fruit
Parthenocarpic fruits, such as some varieties of banana and grapes, develop without fertilization. These fruits are typically seedless.
In the process of microsporogenesis, what is formed from a single microspore mother cell through meiosis?
- A Two pollen grains
- B Four haploid microspores
- C One diploid zygote
- D Eight nuclei in an embryo sac
Correct answer: Four haploid microspores
Microsporogenesis involves meiosis of the diploid microspore mother cell to form a tetrad of four haploid microspores. Each microspore eventually develops into a pollen grain.
Pollination by birds is scientifically known as:
- A Entomophily
- B Ornithophily
- C Chiropterophily
- D Malacophily
Correct answer: Ornithophily
Ornithophily refers to pollination carried out by birds, such as hummingbirds or sunbirds. These flowers are usually tubular, brightly colored (often red), and produce large amounts of nectar.
Which of the following is an example of a false fruit?
- A Mango
- B Apple
- C Grape
- D Tomato
Correct answer: Apple
In an apple, the edible fleshy part is derived from the thalamus rather than the ovary. Fruits where parts other than the ovary contribute to fruit formation are termed false fruits.
The 'eyes' of a potato tuber are actually:
- A Root scars
- B Axillary buds
- C Lenticels
- D Adventitious roots
Correct answer: Axillary buds
The 'eyes' of a potato are nodes containing axillary buds. When planted, these buds sprout to form new stems and leaves, facilitating vegetative propagation.
What is the protective sheath that covers the young shoot (plumule) in monocot seeds like maize?
- A Coleorhiza
- B Coleoptile
- C Scutellum
- D Perisperm
Correct answer: Coleoptile
The coleoptile is a protective envelope that covers the emerging shoot in monocotyledonous plants. It helps the delicate plumule push through the soil during germination.
Cross-pollination between flowers of different plants of the same species is called:
- A Geitonogamy
- B Autogamy
- C Cleistogamy
- D Xenogamy
Correct answer: Xenogamy
Xenogamy is true cross-pollination. It involves the transfer of pollen from the anther of one plant to the stigma of a different plant, promoting genetic recombination.
Which of the following is the female gametophyte in angiosperms?
- A Ovule
- B Nucellus
- C Embryo sac
- D Megaspore mother cell
Correct answer: Embryo sac
The embryo sac is the female gametophyte, typically consisting of seven cells and eight nuclei. It contains the egg cell which participates in fertilization.
The process where the male and female reproductive organs mature at different times to prevent self-pollination is called:
- A Dicliny
- B Herkogamy
- C Self-incompatibility
- D Dichogamy
Correct answer: Dichogamy
Dichogamy is a mechanism to promote cross-pollination. If the anthers mature first, it is called protandry; if the stigma matures first, it is called protogyny.