Free Biodiversity and Variety of Life MCQs with Answers

1871. The edible part of which among the following is the aril?

• A. Litchi
• B. Custard apple
• C. Pomegranate
• D. Orange

Explanation: In Litchi, the edible portion is the aril, a juicy, fleshy outgrowth surrounding the seed.

1872. Tetradynamous conditions occur in:

• A. Cruciferae
• B. Malvaceae
• C. Solanaceae
• D. Lilliaceae

Explanation: In tetradynamous condition, there are six stamens, 4 are long and 2 are short i.e., 4 + 2 arrangement of stamens. It is a characteristic feature of Cruciferae members. In Liliaceae, 6 stamens are arranged in whorls of 3 each (3 + 3). In Solanaceae, there are 5 stamens that are epipetalous and polyandrous. In Malvaceae, there are numerous stamens that are monadelphous .

1873. To which kingdom do Marchantia, Pinus, and Mangifera belong?

• A. Animalia
• B. Plantae
• C. Fungi
• D. Protista

Explanation: Marchantia (liverwort), Pinus (pine), and Mangifera (mango) are all multicellular, photosynthetic organisms with cell walls made of cellulose, placing them in the kingdom Plantae.

1874. Why do Bryophytes and ferns both require water for fertilization?

• A. Ciliated spermatozoa instead of flagellated spermatozoa
• B. Sporophyte as the main generation instead of the gametophyte generation
• C. Flagellated spermatozoa can travel
• D. Non-motile eggs

Explanation: Bryophytes (such as mosses) and ferns share a common need for water during fertilization because of their reliance on flagellated sperm for the fertilization process. During the sexual reproduction of these plants, the male gametes (sperm) need to swim through water to reach the female gametes (eggs) for fertilization to occur. The flagellated sperm in both bryophytes and ferns are adapted to move in a film of water, as they are unable to travel through the air. This reliance on water for fertilization is often referred to as "homosporous" reproduction.

1875. Leaves of _ are used to cure cough and cold in horses.

• A. Glycyrrhiza glabra
• B. Cassia alata
• C. Bamboo
• D. Both bamboo and Glycyrrhiza glabra

Explanation: Bambusa (Bamboo) are used as building material for the thatching huts, making boats, carts, pipes etc. and the split stem are woven into mats, baskets, fans, hats, course umbrella. Leaves are also given to horses as a cure of cough and cold etc. Certain grasses yield aromatic oils, e.g. Cymbopogon citratus (lemon grass) which yield lemon grass oils used in perfumes and soap industry and for making infusions. Some species of the grasses are used in making papers.

1876. Antheridia and archegonia are _ organs in bryophytes.

• A. Reproductive
• B. Digestive
• C. Respiratory
• D. None of the above

Explanation: Antheridia is the male sex organ, and is a haploid structure whose function is to produce male gametes called antherozoids or sperms. Antheridia are present in the gametophyte phase of cryptogams like bryophytes and ferns. Archegonia is the female sex organ, which produces female gametes. It is responsible for the production of female gametes that are egg cells or ova mainly in cryptogams.

1877. Such inflorescence in which the main axis is elongated and bears sessile flowers is called:

• A. Raceme
• B. Spike
• C. Cyme
• D. Panicle

Explanation: The inflorescence in which the main axis is elongated and bears sessile flowers is called a spike. In a spike, the flowers are arranged in an acropetal manner, which means that the lowermost flowers mature first and the upper ones mature later. The flowers are directly attached to the main axis without any pedicels or stalks. Examples of plants with spike inflorescence include wheat, rye, and barley.

1878. Which of the following is not a type of plant stem?

• A. Corm
• B. Node
• C. Rhizome
• D. Tendril
• E. Tuber

Explanation: Nodes are not a type of plant stem but rather a specific part of a stem. In botany, a node is a region on a stem where leaves, buds, or branches arise. It is a critical point along the stem where various structures are attached. The space between two adjacent nodes is referred to as an internode. Nodes are the points on a stem where leaves, branches, or buds emerge. They represent the areas of growth and attachment on a stem rather than being a distinct type of stem.

1879. Gymnosperms are NOT?

• A. Seed plants
• B. Predominantly diploid
• C. Flowering plants
• D. Conifers
• E. Naked seed plants

Explanation: Gymnosperms are not flowering plants. The term "gymnosperm" means "naked seed." Gymnosperms produce seeds that are not enclosed within a fruit. Instead, seeds are typically borne on the surface of cones or similar structures. Gymnosperms often have cones as their reproductive structures. Male cones produce pollen, and female cones contain ovules that develop into seeds. Gymnosperms, like angiosperms, possess vascular tissue (xylem and phloem) for the transport of water, nutrients, and sugars.

1880. Angiosperms differ from all other plants because:

• A. They produce a pollen tube
• B. They produce wind-dispersed pollen
• C. The sporophyte generation is dominant
• D. They use animals to disperse their seeds
• E. They produce fruits

Explanation: Angiosperms differ from all other plants because they have several unique characteristics that set them apart. Angiosperms enclose their seeds within a protective structure called a fruit. Fruits aid in seed dispersal and protect seeds from environmental factors. Moreover they also produce flowers which set them apart from other plants.