ALAGUJOTHIACADEMY

An International Standard CBSE Sr. Sec. School

CLASS XII - BIOLOGY QUESTION BANK

CHAPTER 2 – SEXUAL REPRODUCTION IN FLOWERING PLANTS

2/ 3 Marks Descriptives

69 How are the cells of tapetum different from the cells of the other wall layers? 2

ANS:
70 Mention the location and function of tapetum in the microsporangium of angiosperms. State the
2
characteristic features of the cells forming this layer.
ANS: Tapetum is the innermost wall layer of the microsporangium.
– It nourishes the developing pollen grains.
Characteristics of tapetal cells:
(i) They possess dense cytoplasm. (ii) They have more than one nucleus.
71 In the T.S. of a mature anther given below, identify 'a' and 'b' and mention their functions.
ANS: (a) – Sporogenous tissue
– The cells are potential pollen mother cells and form pollen grains.
(b) – Tapetum
2
– Tapetum nourishes the developing pollen grains.

72 Name the organic materials the exine and intine of an angiosperm pollen grain are made up of.
2
Explain the role of exine.
ANS: – Exine is made up of sporopollenin and intine is made up of pectin and cellulose.
– The exine provides protection to the pollen grains; the sporopollenin of exine is one of the most
resistant organic material which can withstand very high temperature and strong acids and alkalies.
73 Explain giving two reasons why pollen grains can be best preserved as fossils. 2
ANS: Pollen grains can be best preserved as fossils because:
(i) The sporopollenin of the exine can withstand high temperatures.
(ii) It is resistant to action of strong acids and alkali.
(iii) No enzyme that can degrade sporopollenin is known so far.
74 Differentiate between the two cells enclosed in a mature male gametophyte of an angiosperm. 2

ANS:
75 Differentiate between syncarpous and apocarpous pistils with an example for each. 2
 ANS:
76 How many haploid cells are present in an unfertilised mature embryo sac of a flowering plant? Name
them. 2
ANS: – Six haploid cells are there. – One female gamete, two synergids and three antipodals.
77 Geitonogamous flowering plants are genetically autogamous, but functionally cross-pollinated.
2
Justify.
ANS: – Since geitonogamy involves two different flowers of the same plant, it is genetically similar
to autogamy; both autogamy and geitonogamy do not result in genetic variation in the progeny.
– Geitonogamy and cross-pollination involve different flowers and a pollinating agent.
78 State one advantage and one disadvantage of cleistogamy. 2
ANS: Advantage: Since cleistogamous flowers are autogamous, there is an assured seed-set.
Disadvantage: Continued self-pollination leads to inbreeding depression.
79 Why do species with abiotic mode of pollination produce larger number of pollen-grains, when
2
compared to those with biotic pollination?
ANS: – Pollination by abiotic agents (like wind and water) is not precise.
– Many pollen grains fail to reach the stigma of female/bisexual flowers.
– To compensate for the wastage, a large number of pollen grains are produced.
– Pollination by biotic agents is more precise and leads to less wastage.
80 Not all hydrophytes are pollinated by water. Justify by giving two examples. 2
ANS: Those hydrophytes whose flowers emerge above the surface of water, are pollinated by
insects or wind, e.g. water hyacinth and waterlily are pollinated by insects.
81 How is pollination effected in sea grasses? 2
ANS: – In sea grasses, the female flowers remain submerged in water.
– The pollen grains are released inside the water.
– Pollen grains are long and ribbon-like; they are carried passively by water.
– Some of them reach the stigma and achieve pollination.
82 List the adaptive features of water-pollinated flowers like Vallisneria. 2
ANS: (i) In Vallisneria, the male flowers are released on the surface of water and female flowers
reach the surface by the long stalk.
(ii) Pollen grains are protected from wetting by a mucilaginous covering.
83 Explain the mutually rewarding relationship between Yucca plant and a species of moth. 2
ANS: – The plant Yucca and the moth, both of them cannot complete their life cycles without each
other.
– The moth deposits its eggs in the locule of the ovary; during this the flower gets pollinated by the
moth.
– The larvae of the moth come out of the eggs, when the seeds start developing; some of the seeds are
eaten by the larvae.
84 What is self-incompatibility? Why does self-pollination not lead to seed formation in self-
2
incompatible species?
ANS: – Self-incompatibility is a genetic mechanism that prevents the self-pollen from fertilising the
ovules by inhibiting pollen germination or pollen tube growth on the pistil.
– Since fertilisation cannot occur, there is no seed formation.
85 Write the cellular contents carried by the pollen tube. How does the pollen tube gain its entry into the 2
 embryo sac.
ANS: – Pollen tube carries two male gametes and the vegetative nucleus.
– Pollen tube grows through the tissues of stigma and style to reach the ovary.
– It enters the ovule through the micropyle and then enters the embryo sac through the filiform
apparatus of one of the synergids.
86 Write the importance of bagging of unisexual flowers in a crop improvement programme. 2
ANS: In crop breeding programmes, pollen grains from the selected male parent only are used for
pollination.
So, to prevent contamination of the stigma of the unisexual/female flower, they are bagged before the
bud opens.
87 Why should a breeder need to emasculate a bisexual flower? Mention a condition in a flower, where
2
emasculation is not necessary?
ANS: – Emasculation is necessary to prevent the self-pollen grains falling on the stigma.
– Emasculation is not needed when the female parent chosen bears unisexual, i.e. female flowers.
88 List the two steps that are essential for carrying out artificial hybridisation in crop plants and why? 2
ANS: – Emasculation and bagging are essential in artificial hybridisation.
– Emasculation is necessary to prevent contamination of the stigma with self-pollen in bisexual
flowers; it is not needed in unisexual flowers.
– Bagging is necessary to prevent the contamination of the stigma with unwanted pollen grains.
89 Even though each pollen grain has two male gametes, why are at least 10 pollen grains and not 5
2
pollen grains required to fertilise 10 ovules present in a particular carpel?
ANS: – The two male gametes produced by a pollen grain are used in the fertilisation of one ovule,
i.e., for double fertilisation.
– One male gamete fuses with the female gamete to form the zygote, i.e. syngamy.
– The second male gamete fuses with the secondary nucleus, to form the triploid primary endosperm
nucleus (PEN), i.e. triple fusion.
– As double fertilisation (two fusions) occurs in the ovules of angiosperms, ten pollen grains are
necessary to fertilise ten ovules.
90 If the chromosome number of a plant species is 16, what would be the chromosome number and the
1
ploidy level of the (a) microspore mother cell and (b) the endosperm cells?
ANS: (a) 16, Diploid. (b) 24, Triploid.
91 Where does triple fusion take place in a flowering plant? Why is it so called? Mention its significance. 2
ANS: – Triple fusion takes place in the central cell of the embryo sac of the angiosperm ovule.
– It is so called because it involves fusion of three nuclei – two polar nuclei (fuse to form a diploid
secondary nucleus) and a male gamete.
– The product is a triploid primary endosperm nucleus that later forms the triploid endosperm, the
tissue that nourishes the developing embryo.
92 Name the product of fertilisation that forms the kernel of coconut. How does the kernel differ from
2
coconut water?
ANS: Primary endosperm cell forms the kernel of coconut.
Difference – The kernel of coconut is the cellular endosperm, while the coconut water is the free-
nuclear endosperm.
93 Draw a labelled diagram of a typical dicot embryo. 2
 ANS: Dicot Embryo:
94 List the differences between the embryo of a dicot (bean) and that of a monocot (maize). 2

ANS:
95 Name two plants each with (i) fleshy pericarp and (ii) dry pericarp. 2
ANS: (i) Guava, tomato, mango. (ii) Groundnut, mustard, bean.
96 What are false fruits? Give two examples. 2
ANS: If any part of the flower other than the ovary becomes a part of the fruit, the fruit is said to be
a false fruit, e.g. Apple, pear, strawberry.
97 Draw a labelled diagram of (L.S.) of the fruit of an apple. 2

ANS: Apple Fruit:

98 (i) Given below is a T.S. of an apple. Identify a, b and c.
(ii) Why is an apple categorised as a false fruit?
2
ANS: (i) (a) Thalamus (b) Seed (c) Endocarp
(ii) Apple is considered a false fruit because thalamus also contributes to
the formation of fruit other than its ovary
99 What are parthenocarpic fruits? Mention one characteristic feature of such fruits. 2
ANS: – The fruits that are formed without fertilisation of the ovary, are called parthenocarpic fruits.
– They are generally seedless or seeds are not viable.
100 How is parthenocarpy different from parthenogenesis? Give an example of each. 2

ANS:
101 Differentiate between albuminous and non-albuminous seeds, giving one example of each. 2
 ANS:
102 Some angiosperm seeds are said to be ‘albuminous’ whereas few other are said to have a perisperm.
2
Explain each with the help of an example.
ANS: – Albuminous seeds are those seeds which retain a part of the endosperm, as it is not
completely used by the developing embryo, e.g. castor, sunflower, etc.
– Perisperm is the residual persistent nucellus, e.g. beet root, black pepper, etc.
103 Name the blank spaces a, b, c and d from the table given below:

ANS: (a) Fruit wall (b) Scutellum (c) Plumule and radical (d) Perisperm.
104 Why are some seeds of Citrus referred to as polyembryonic? How are they formed? 2
ANS: – It is a case of polyembryony, the phenomenon of occurrence of more than one embryo in a
seed.
– It is possible in the following ways:
(i) Some of the nucellar cells surrounding the embryo sac start dividing, protrude into the embryo sac
and develop into embroys.
(ii) Synergids of the embryo sac divide and form embryos.
105 Explain any two ways by which apomictic seeds get developed. 2
ANS: (i) Certain nucellar cells around the embryo sac divide, protrude into embryo sac and develop
into embryos, e.g. Citrus, mango, etc.
(ii) The diploid egg cell of the embryo sac, formed without meiosis develops into embryo without
fertilisation.
106 Name and explain the mechanism by which seeds from hybrid plants are developed that are able to
2
retain the desired hybrid character in the progeny.
ANS: Apomixis is the mechanism.
– It refers to the form of asexual reproduction that mimics sexual reproduction and seeds are formed
without fertilisation.
– If the hybrid seeds are made into apomictic seeds, there will be no segregation of the hybrid
characters in the progeny plants and they will be maintained for a number of generations.
107 Are parthenocarpy and apomixis different phenomena? Discuss their benefits. 2
ANS: Parthenocarpy and apomixis are two different phenomena.
– Parthenocarpy is formation of fruit without fertilisation of the ovary; hence they are seedless.
– Apomixis is the phenomenon of formation of seeds without fertilisation; apomictic embryos are
genetically identical to the female parent.
108 What will be the advantage of making the hybrids into apomicts? Why? 2
ANS: – In general, the hybrid characters segregate in every generation and are not maintained.
– The production of hybrid seed is costly and is too expensive for the farmers.
– If the hybrids are made into apomicts, there will be no segregation of the hybrid/desirable characters
in the progeny plants and seeds can be collected from the plants generation after generation and used
 for raising the new plants.
109 Where is sporopollenin present in plants? State its significance with reference to its chemical nature. 2
ANS: – Sporopollenin is found in the exine of pollen grains.
– It is one of the most resistant organic materials, that can withstand high temperature and action of
strong acids and alkali; no enzyme is known to digest it.
110 Draw a labelled diagram of (a) an apocarpous pistil and
(b) a syncarpous pistil. Name an example for each.
ANS: (a) e.g. Michelia (b) e.g. Papaver
2

111 Banana is a parthenocarpic fruit, whereas oranges show polyembryony. How are they different from
2
each other with respect to seeds?
ANS: – Parthenocarpic fruits are generally seedless or have non-viable seeds.
– In oranges, each seed has more than one embryo, i.e. polyembryony.
112 What is micropyle in a seed? Mention its significance. 2
ANS: – Micropyle is the opening left by the integuments at the tip of the ovule; this remains as an
opening on the seed coat.
– It facilitates the entry of oxygen and water during seed germination.
113 Compare a bean seed with that of a maize grain. 2

ANS:
114 Name the oldest seed that has germinated. Where was it found? 2
ANS: Lupinus arcticus germinated and flowered after about 10,000 years of dormancy. This
happened in Arctic tundra.
115 Draw a diagram of longitudinal section of a complete flower and label any six parts in it. 3
ANS: L.S. of a Complete Flower
116 Given below is an enlarged view of one microsporangium of a mature anther.

(i) Name ‘a’, ‘b’ and ‘c’ wall layers.

(ii) Mention the characteristics and function of the cells forming the
wall layer ‘c’. 3
ANS: (i) (a) Endothecium (b) Middle layers (c) Tapetum
(ii) – The cells of tapetum possess
(a) dense cytoplasm and (b) more than one nucleus
– They nourish the developing pollen grains.
117 How are cleistogamous and chasmogamous flowers different from each other? Give an example for
3
each.

ANS:
118 Differentiate between geitonogamy and xenogamy in plants. Which one between the two, will lead to
3
inbreeding depression. Why?

ANS: –
Geitonogamy leads to inbreeding depression, because it is genetically autogamy as the flowers come
from the same plant.
119 Explain any three inbreeding devices in flowering plants. 3
ANS: Following are the inbreeding devices:
(i) There is synchromy between pollen release and stigma-receptivity; i.e. the anthers and pistil mature
simultaneously.
(ii) The anthers and stigma lie close to each other in such a way that pollen from the anther can fall on
the stigma.
(iii) Cleistogamous flowers (the bisexual flowers which do not open at all) are produced by some
plants.
120 Explain the characteristic features of flowers that facilitate wind pollination. 3
ANS: In wind pollinated flowers,
(i) The stamens are well-exposed, so that pollen grains are easily dispersed in wind currents.
(ii) The stigma is large and often feathery, to easily trap the air-borne pollen grains.
(iii) The pollen grains are light and non-sticky, to be transported in wind currents.
(iv) Pollen grains are produced in enormous quantity.
(v) Numerous small flowers are packed into an inflorescence.
(vi) There is a single ovule in the ovary of these flowers.
121 Write the mode of pollination in Vallisneria and water lily. Explain the mechanism of pollination in 3
 Vallisneria.
ANS: Vallisneria is pollinated by water and water lily is pollinated by insects.
Pollination in Vallisneria – In Vallisneria, the male flowers (later pollen grains) are released on the
surface of water and keep floating. – The female flowers reach the surface of water by uncoiling of the
long stalk. – When the passively carried male flowers/pollen grains meet the female flowers,
pollination is effected.
– The stalk of the female flower coils and the flower is drawn back inside the water column.
122 Write the differences between wind-pollinated and insect-pollinated flowers. Give an example of each
3
type.

ANS:
123 Explain three outbreeding devices. 3
ANS: The outbreeding devices are as follows:
(i) Self-incompatibility is the genetic mechanisms that prevents self-pollen from fertilising the ovule
by inhibiting pollen germination or retarding the growth of pollen tube.
(ii) Certain plant species produce male and female flowers on different plants, i.e. the plants are
dioecious; this prevents both autogamy and geitonogamy.
(iii) Pollen release and stigma receptivity are not synchronised; either the anthers mature first on the
pistil/gynoecium matures first.
(iv) The anthers and stigma of a flower are placed in such a way that the pollen of the flower cannot
fall on the stigma of the same flower. (any three)
124 (a) In plant breeding experiments, pistillate flowers are not emasculated, but are still bagged. Explain.
3
(b) Why are outbreeding devices developed by some flowering plants?
ANS: (a) – In plant breeding experiments, pollen from the selected male parent only, are used for
pollination.
– To prevent contamination of the stigma by any other pollen grain, the pistillate flowers are bagged.
(b) Continued self-pollination leads to inbreeding depression; hence to discourage self-pollination,
outbreeding devices have been developed by flowers.
125 Draw a longitudinal section of a post-pollinated pistil showing entry of
pollen tube into a mature embryo sac. Label filiform apparatus, chalazal end,
hilum, antipodals, male gametes and secondary nucleus.

ANS:
126 Explain the process of emasculation and bagging of flowers. State their importance in breeding
3
experiments.
ANS: – Emasculation refers to the practice of removal of anthers/stamens from a bisexual flower
before the pollen grains mature.
– It is necessary to prevent the self-pollen from contaminating the stigma.
– Bagging refers to the covering of the emasculated flowers with a suitable bag made of butter paper;
it is essential to prevent contamination of the stigma of the emasculated flower with unwanted pollen
grains.
– When the stigma becomes receptive, the pollen grains from the selected flowers are dusted on it and
the flower is rebagged for the development of fruits and seeds.
– If female parent bears unisexual flowers, there is no need for emasculation; but the female flower
buds are bagged before they open.
– When the stigma becomes receptive, pollination is carried out with the desired pollen and the
flowers are rebagged.
127 Name the two end products of double fertilisation in angiosperms. How are they formed? Write their
3
fate during the development of seed.
ANS: – Zygote and the primary endosperm nucleus are the products of double fertilisation.
– Zygote is formed by the fusion of the female gamete and one of the male gametes, i.e. syngamy.
– Primary endosperm nucleus is formed by the fusion of two polar nuclei (into a secondary nucleus)
and one of the male gametes, i.e. triple fusion.
– The endosperm development from the primary endosperm cell precedes that of the zygote, to
provide assured nutrition to the embryo.
– The zygote develops into the embryo.
128 Describe the endosperm development in angiosperms. 3
ANS: – The endosperm development starts from the primary endosperm cell (PEC).
– In the most common type of endosperm development, the primary endosperm nucleus (PEN)
undergoes repeated nuclear divisions to give rise to a number of free nuclei in the primary endosperm
cell.
– The number of free nuclei formed varies greatly with the species.
– At this stage of development, the endosperm is called free-nuclear endosperm.
– Subsequently, cell wall formation occurs and the endosperm becomes cellular.
– The cells are filled with reserve food materials.
– Endosperm development precedes that of embryo development as an adaptation to provide assured
nutrition to the embryo.
129 Double fertilisation is reported in plants of both castor and groundnut. However, the mature seeds of
groundnut are non-albuminous and castor are albuminous. Explain the post-fertilisation events that are 3
responsible for it.
ANS: – The primary endosperm cell formed as a result of triple fusion (of double fertilisation)
develops into endosperm; its cells are filled with reserve food materials.
– The zygote develops into embryo after a certain amount of endosperm is formed.
– In groundnut, the endosperm is completely consumed by the developing embryo before the
maturation of seed, hence the mature seed is non-albuminous.
– In castor, the endosperm is not completely consumed by the developing embryo, but a portion of it
persists in the seed; so the seed is albuminous.
130 (a) Describe the endosperm development in coconut. 3
 (b) Why is tender coconut considered a healthy source of nutrition?
(c) How are pea seeds different from castor seeds with respect to endosperm?
ANS:

(a) – The primary endosperm nucleus of the primary endosperm cell undergoes repeated mitotic
divisions, to give rise to a number of free nuclei; at this stage, the endosperm is called free nuclear
endosperm.
– Subsequently, cell wall formation starts from the periphery and the endosperm becomes cellular.
– The water in the tender coconut represents the nuclear endosperm, while the white kernel represents
the cellular endosperm.
(b) Since the endosperm cells are rich in stored food materials, it is a healthy source of nutrition.
(c) Pea seeds are non-endospermic, while castor seeds are endospermic.
131 (a) Identify the figure.
(b) Name the initial cell from which this structure has developed.
(c) Draw the next mature stage and label the parts.

ANS: (a) Globular embryo of a dicot plant.

(b) Zygote
(c)
3

132 Draw a transverse sectional view of an apple and label the following parts along with their technical
names:
ANS:
(i) Edible part 3
(ii) Encloses the embryo
(iii) Forms the fruit wall.

133 A non-biology person is quite shocked to know that apple is a false fruit, mango is a true fruit and
3
banana is a seedless fruit. As a biology student, how would you clarify this person?

ANS:
134 (a) Give one example each of albuminous and non-albuminous seeds.
(b) Name the parts of the ovule and the embryo sac of an angiosperm that develop into 3
(i) perisperm, (ii) seed coat, (iii) endosperm, and (iv) embryonal axis.
ANS: (a) Albuminous seed—Castor, Coconut, Sunflower
Non-albuminous seed—Pea, groundnut. (any one for each)
 (b) (i) Nucellus (ii) Integuments (iii) Primary endosperm cell (iv) Zygote.
135 Draw a diagram of the vertical/longitudinal section of a maize grain and label six parts other than
3
pericarp.

ANS:
136 Differentiate between perisperm and endosperm, giving one example of each. 3

ANS:
137 (a) Explain the different ways apomictic seeds can develop. Give an example of each.
3
(b) Mention one advantage of apomictic seeds to farmers.
ANS: (a) Apomictic seeds can be formed in the following ways:
(i) A diploid egg cell is formed without meiosis in the megaspore mother cell and it develops without
fertilisation into an embryo as in members of Asteraceae.
(ii) Some of the cells of the nucellus around the embryo sac start dividing, get pushed into embryo sac
and develop into embryos, as in Citrus and mango.
(b) – Since there will be no segregation of the traits in the progeny plants, seeds can be collected from
the plants and used to raise new crops for a number of generation.
– He does not need to buy the expensive hybrid seed every year.
138 (a) Why are seeds of some grasses called apomictic? Explain.
3
(b) State two reasons to convince a farmer to use an apomictic crop.
ANS: (a) In some grasses, seeds develop without fertilisation and hence are called apomictic seeds.
(b) – Since there will be no segregation of the traits in the progeny plants, seeds can be collected from
the plants and used to raise new crops for a number of generation.
– He does not need to buy the expensive hybrid seed every year
139 State what is apomixis. Comment on its significance. How can it be commercially used? 3
ANS: – Apomixis is a form of asexual reproduction that mimics sexual reproduction and seeds are
formed without fertilisation.
– There is no segregation of traits in the progeny plants grown from apomictic seeds.
– If hybrid seeds are made apomictic, then the farmers can keep on using the seeds to raise new crops
year after year and need not buy the expensive hybrid seeds every year.
140 (a) Mention the exact location or the site in a flowering plant, where the following developments take
3
place:
 (i) Deposition of sporopollenin (ii) Triple fusion
(iii) Release of male gametes (iv) Megasporogenesis.
(b) Draw a labelled diagram of a male gametophyte of an (b)
angiosperm.
ANS: (a) (i) On the exine of pollen grains while in the
microsporangia.
(ii) In the central cell of embryo sac of the ovule.
(iii) From the pollen tube into one of the synergids of the embryo sac.
(iv) In the nucellus of the ovule.

141 (a) Explain triple fusion in angiosperms.

3
(b) Write the fate of the product of this fusion in the mature fruit of coconut.
ANS: (a) – In the mature embryo sac of an angiosperm, two polar nuclei in the central cell fuse to
form a diploid secondary nucleus.
– During fertilisation, one of the male gametes fuses with the secondary nucleus to form a triploid
primary endosperm nucleus (PEN); the central cell is now called primary endosperm cell (PEC).
– Since, three nuclei are involved, it is called triple fusion.
(b) – The primary endosperm nucleus of the primary endosperm cell undergoes repeated mitotic
divisions, to give rise to a number of free nuclei; at this stage, the endosperm is called free nuclear
endosperm.
– Subsequently, cell wall formation starts from the periphery and the endosperm becomes cellular.
– The water in the tender coconut represents the nuclear endosperm, while the white kernel represents
the cellular endosperm.
142 (a) Mature seeds of legumes are non-albuminous. Then, can it be considered that double fertilisation
does not occur in legumes? Explain your answer. 3
(b) List the differences between the embryos of dicot (pea) and monocot (grass family).
ANS: (a) No, it cannot be assumed like that because double fertilisation does occur in legumes.
– The primary endosperm cell undergoes mitoses and forms the endosperm, whose cells are filled
with reserve food materials.
– But it is completely consumed by the developing embryo before the seed matures and there is no
residual endosperm left in the seed; so the seeds are non-albuminous. (b)