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Sexual reproduction in flowering plants: NEET MCQs with answers

136 questions on this topic of Reproduction (NEET 2027 syllabus). Here are 12; tap one to see its answer and explanation.

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easy

1. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the vegetative and generative cells of a pollen grain:

  1. The vegetative cell is bigger, has abundant food reserve and a large irregularly shaped nucleus.
  2. The generative cell is small and floats in the cytoplasm of the vegetative cell.
  3. The vegetative cell divides mitotically to produce two male gametes before shedding.
  4. The generative cell is spindle-shaped with dense cytoplasm and a nucleus.
Show answer and explanation

Answer: (C) The vegetative cell divides mitotically to produce two male gametes before shedding.

In 3-celled shedding species, it is the generative cell (not the vegetative cell) that divides mitotically to give rise to two male gametes. The vegetative cell provides nutrition and guides pollen tube development.

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2. Pollen grains of rice and wheat lose viability within about:

  1. 30 days
  2. 1 year
  3. 10 years
  4. 30 minutes of release
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Answer: (D) 30 minutes of release

Pollen viability varies. In rice and wheat it is lost within 30 minutes, while members of Rosaceae, Leguminosae and Solanaceae stay viable for months. Pollen can be stored for years in liquid nitrogen (-196 °C).

NCERT Class 12

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3. Given below are two statements: Statement I: Pollen grains can be stored for years in liquid nitrogen (-196 °C) and used as pollen banks, similar to seed banks. Statement II: Pollen wall proteins present in exine and intine are responsible for pollen-pistil interaction and determining pollen compatibility.

  1. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
  2. Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
  3. Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct
  4. Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
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Answer: (A) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct

Pollen cryopreservation at -196 °C in liquid nitrogen allows long-term storage in pollen banks. Pollen-pistil interaction is a dynamic chemical dialogue mediated by physiological interactions between proteins of the pollen wall and pistillar surface.

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4. Prominent apertures in the pollen exine where sporopollenin is absent are called:

  1. Hila
  2. Micropyles
  3. Germ pores
  4. Stomata
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Answer: (C) Germ pores

Germ pores are apertures in the exine where sporopollenin is absent; the pollen tube emerges through them.

easy

5. The core of the ovule consists of a mass of parenchymatous cells enclosed within integuments. The junction where the body of the ovule fuses with the stalk is designated as:

  1. Hilum
  2. Chalaza
  3. Micropyle
  4. Funicle
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Answer: (A) Hilum

Hilum represents the junction between the ovule and the funicle (stalk). It is the point of attachment where the body of the ovule fuses with the funicle. Chalaza represents the basal part of the ovule opposite the micropyle.

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6. The synergids have special cellular thickenings at the micropylar tip called the filiform apparatus, which:

  1. Plays an important role in guiding the pollen tube into the synergid
  2. Forms the endosperm
  3. Stores food
  4. Forms the antipodals
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Answer: (A) Plays an important role in guiding the pollen tube into the synergid

The filiform apparatus of synergids guides the pollen tube into the synergid.

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7. In the monocot embryo, the single cotyledon is called the:

  1. Scutellum
  2. Coleoptile
  3. Coleorhiza
  4. Epicotyl
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Answer: (A) Scutellum

Monocot embryos have one cotyledon, the scutellum, situated towards one side of the embryonal axis.

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8. Production of seeds without fertilisation, seen in some Asteraceae and grasses, is called:

  1. Double fertilisation
  2. Apomixis
  3. Parthenocarpy
  4. Polyembryony
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Answer: (B) Apomixis

Apomixis is a form of asexual reproduction that mimics sexual reproduction, producing seeds without fertilisation. Parthenocarpy produces fruits without fertilisation.

NCERT Class 12

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9. How many microspore mother cells (MMCs) and megaspore mother cells (MegMCs) are required to produce 100 functional pollen grains and 100 functional female gametophytes (embryo sacs), respectively?

  1. 25 MMCs and 25 MegMCs
  2. 50 MMCs and 100 MegMCs
  3. 100 MMCs and 100 MegMCs
  4. 25 MMCs and 100 MegMCs
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Answer: (D) 25 MMCs and 100 MegMCs

Each microspore mother cell undergoes meiosis to yield 4 functional microspores (pollen grains); thus 100 / 4 = 25 MMCs are needed. Each megaspore mother cell undergoes meiosis to produce 4 megaspores, out of which only 1 is functional (monosporic development); thus 100 MegMCs are needed to form 100 functional female gametophytes.

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10. The period for which pollen grains remain viable is highly variable. In rice and wheat, pollen loses viability within:

  1. 30 days
  2. 30 minutes of release
  3. Several months
  4. One year
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Answer: (B) 30 minutes of release

Pollen of rice and wheat loses viability within 30 minutes, while some members of Rosaceae, Leguminosae and Solanaceae keep it for months.

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11. In a flowering plant, if the chromosome number in the leaves is 24, what would be the chromosome number in its endosperm, microspore, and synergid respectively?

  1. 24, 12, 12
  2. 48, 24, 12
  3. 36, 24, 12
  4. 36, 12, 12
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Answer: (D) 36, 12, 12

Leaf tissue is diploid (2n = 24), so haploid number n = 12. Endosperm is triploid (3n = 36), microspore is haploid (n = 12), and synergid is haploid (n = 12).

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12. During artificial hybridisation in a plant with unisexual female flowers, which of the following operational steps is NOT required?

  1. Emasculation of the female flower
  2. Bagging of female flower bud before anthesis
  3. Dusting of desired mature pollen grains on the receptive stigma
  4. Rebagging of the pollinated flower until fruit develops
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Answer: (A) Emasculation of the female flower

If the female parent produces unisexual flowers, there is no need for emasculation because the female flowers lack anthers entirely. Bagging before anthesis and dusting with selected pollen are still required.

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