Free Biodiversity and Variety of Life MCQs with Answers

1861. Transfusion tissue is present in the leaves of:

• A. Pinus
• B. Dryopteris
• C. Cycas
• D. Both a and c

Explanation: Gymnosperms like Pinus and Cycas have transfusion tissue for nutrient transport.

1862. Heterospory and seed habit are often exhibited by a plant possessing:

• A. Petiole
• B. Ligule
• C. Bract
• D. Spathe

Explanation: Ligule is present in Selaginella (a heterosporous pteridophyte) showing seed-like habit.

1863. The gymnosperm group contains approximately how many living species?

• A. 640
• B. 300
• C. 1000
• D. 900

Explanation: Gymnosperms are a group of seed-producing plants that include cycads, conifers, ginkgo, and gnetophytes. They are not a single family. Globally, there are about 1000 known living gymnosperm species. They are often considered the "smaller" group compared to angiosperms, which dominate land flora with hundreds of thousands of species.

1864. Elater mechanism for spore dispersal is exhibited by:

• A. Liverworts
• B. Marchantia
• C. Riccia
• D. Funaria

Explanation: In Marchantia, elaters help in the dispersal of spores by twisting as they dry out.

1865. The pyrenoids are made up of:

• A. Proteinaceous centre and starchy sheath
• B. Core of nucleic acid surrounded by protein sheath
• C. Core of protein surrounded by fatty sheath
• D. Core of starch surrounded by sheath of protein

Explanation: Pyrenoids help in starch synthesis and consist of a central protein body with a starchy covering.

1866. Epipetalous and syngenesious stamens occur in:

• A. Solanaceae
• B. Brassicaceae
• C. Fabaceae
• D. Asteraceae

Explanation: In Asteraceae, stamens are epipetalous (attached to petals) and syngenesious (anthers united, filaments free).

1867. A family delimited by type of inflorescence is:

• A. Fabaceae
• B. Asteraceae
• C. Solanaceae
• D. Liliaceae

Explanation: Asteraceae is characterized by a special type of inflorescence called capitulum (head) which is a key feature used for its identification.

1868. Syngenesious condition is found in:

• A. Asteraceae
• B. Labiatae
• C. Solanaceae
• D. Fabaceae

Explanation: In Asteraceae, syngenesious stamens are present, where anthers are fused into a tube, but filaments remain free.

1869. Which of the following is a flowering plant with nodules containing filamentous nitrogen­ fixing micro­organism?

• A. Crotalaria juncea
• B. Cycas revoluta
• C. Cicer arietinum
• D. Casuarina equisetifolia

Explanation: Casuarina has actinorhizal nodules that contain Frankia, a filamentous nitrogen-fixing bacterium.

1870. Pentamerous actinomorphic flowers, bicarpellary ovary with oblique septa, and fruit capsule or berry, are characteristic features of:

• A. Liliaceae
• B. Asteraceae
• C. Brassicaceae
• D. Solanaceae

Explanation: Solanaceae plants have pentamerous, actinomorphic flowers, a bicarpellary ovary with oblique septa, and produce capsules or berries.