NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 –

Morphology of Flowering Plants

Exercise Questions

1. What is meant by modification of root? What type of modification of root is found in the:

(a) Banyan tree (b) Turnip (c) Mangrove trees

Solution:

In order to carry out some secondary functions or a specific adaptation, roots modify their structures – which can be
their size, shape, or even normal functioning. This is referred to as the modification of roots.

a) In banyan trees, roots develop from the branches, and they go deep down the earth to render mechanical assistance
for the tree. This kind of modification is known as prop root.

b) In turnips, roots are modified to store food, and this type of modification is called a fleshy taproot.

c) In mangrove trees, the roots are modified into a pneumatic structure to provide oxygen to the tree. This type of
modification is called respiratory roots or pneumatophores.

2. Justify the following statements on the basis of external features:

(i) Underground parts of a plant are not always roots.

(ii) The flower is a modified shoot.

Solution:

i) In a few plants like ginger, stems remain underground for vegetative reproduction and storage of food. Similarly,
stems in potatoes remain underground, which are modified stems. Potato tuber indicates the presence of nodes (buds
and scale leaves here) and internodes. The presence of an apical bud at the tip of the potato tuber affirms it to be a stem.
Hence, these examples show that underground parts are not always roots.

ii) Apical meristems give rise to floral meristems, and the axis of the stem gets condensed while internodes lie nearer to
each other. Because of this, floral appendages rise in place of stems. This justifies that the flower is a modified shoot.

3. How is a pinnately compound leaf different from a palmately compound leaf?

Solution:

The differences are as follows:

Pinnately compound leaf Palmately compound leaf

Many numbers of leaflets are present on a Several leaflets are attached to a common
common axis point.

Leaflets are attached to a common axis Leaflets are attached to a common point
 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 –
Morphology of Flowering Plants

called the rachis on the leaf stalk.

Leaflet-bearing axis is the continuation of Leaflet-bearing axis is very short.

the petiole

Ex: Neem leaves Ex: Cotton leaves

4. Explain with suitable examples the different types of phyllotaxy.

Solution:

The pattern of leaf arrangement on the stem or branch is called phyllotaxy. For example, in China rose, mustard and
sunflower plants, a single leaf arises at each node alternately.

Phyllotaxy is of three types, namely:

 Alternate – the emergence of a single leaf at each node in an alternate manner. Example – Hibiscus

 Whorled – whorl is formed when two or more leaves emerge at a node. Example – Alstonia
 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 –
Morphology of Flowering Plants

 Opposite – emergence of a pair of leaves at every node, facing opposite to each other. Example – guava
 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 –
Morphology of Flowering Plants
5. Define the following terms:

(a) aestivation

(b) placentation

(c) actinomorphic

(d) zygomorphic

(e) superior ovary

(f) perigynous flower

(g) epipetalous stamen

Solution:

a) Sepals or petals’ arrangement in a floral bud concerning other members of the same whorl is called aestivation.
Different types of aestivation are:

 Twisted – if one margin of the appendage overlaps the adjacent one, it is twisted, either clockwise or anti-
clockwise. Example – cotton
 Valvate – In a whorl, when petals or sepals just touch each other at the margin without overlapping, it is
valvate. Example – Calotropis
 Imbricate – It is imbricate when petals or sepals overlap each other but not in any definite direction as
observed in gulmohar
 Vexillary – The largest petal overlaps the two lateral petals, which in turn overlap the two smallest anterior
peels in vexillary aestivation. Example – Bean flower
 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 –
Morphology of Flowering Plants

b) Arrangement of the ovule within the ovary is known as placentation. They are of the following types:

 Marginal – The placenta forms a ridge through the ventral suture of the ovary. Ovules are borne on the ridge to
form two rows. Example – Pea
 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 –
Morphology of Flowering Plants

 Axile – placenta is axial, and ovules are attached to it in a multilocular ovary. Example – lemon
 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 –
Morphology of Flowering Plants
 Parietal – ovules develop on the inner wall of the ovary or on the peripheral. It is single-chambered, but due to
the formation of a false septum, it becomes two-chambered. Example- Mustard

 Basal – The placenta develops at the base of the ovary, wherein a single ovule is attached to it. Example –
Marigold
 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 –
Morphology of Flowering Plants

 Free central –ovules are borne on the central axis, and septa are absent. Example – Primrose
 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 –
Morphology of Flowering Plants
c) Flowers which can be divided into two halves by any vertical plane are known as actinomorphic flowers. Example –
Chilli

d) A flower with bilateral symmetry that can be divided into two halves only in one plane is known as a zygomorphic
flower. Example – Gulmohar

e) In a hypogynous flower, the gynoecium occupies the highest position while other parts remain below it. The ovary in
such a flower is known as a superior ovary. Example – Brinjal

f)A perigynous flower is one in which the gynoecium is situated in the centre, and other parts of the flower are located
on the rim of the thalamus. The ovary is half inferior. Example – Rose

g) Epipetalous stamen – Instead of directly being inserted over the thalamus, it has a stamen which is borne over a
petal. Example – Brinjal

6. Differentiate between

(a) Racemose and cymose inflorescence

(b) Fibrous root and adventitious root

(c) Apocarpous and syncarpous ovary

Solution:

The differences are as follows:

(a) Racemose and cymose inflorescence

Racemose inflorescence Cymose inflorescence

Inflorescence in which young flowers are Inflorescence in which old flowers are
present at the tip and older flowers are present at the tip and young flowers are
arranged at the base arranged at the base

Main axis continues to grow and produce The main axis has limited growth, which
flowers laterally. terminates into a flower.

(b) Fibrous root and adventitious root

Fibrous roots Adventitious roots

The primary root is short-lived and is replaced by a Roots arise from parts of the
 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 –
Morphology of Flowering Plants

large number of roots in monocotyledons plants other than the radicle.

Example: Wheat Example: Banyan tree

(c) Apocarpous and syncarpous ovary

Apocarpous ovary Syncarpous ovary

In an apocarpous ovary, two or more In a syncarpous ovary, two or more

carpels are free carpels are fused

Example: Lotus Example: Mustard

7. Draw the labelled diagram of the following: (i) gram seed (ii) V.S. of maize seed.

Solution:

(i) Gram seed

(ii) V.S. of maize seed

 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 –
Morphology of Flowering Plants

8. Describe modifications of the stem with suitable examples.

Solution:

Modifications of stem:

Food storage:

Underground stems of potato, ginger, and turmeric are modified to store food in them. They act as organs of
perennation to tide over conditions unfavourable for growth.

Tendrils:
 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 –
Morphology of Flowering Plants

Tendrils are slender and spirally coiled and develop from axillary buds. These stem tendrils help plants climb, such as
in gourds (cucumber, pumpkins, watermelon) and grapevines.

Thorns:

Stems of auxiliary buds get modified into woody, straight and pointed thorns. Thorns protect plants from animals.
Several plants of dry regions alter their stems into either fleshy cylindrical structures or flattened. Ex: citrus plants.
They possess chlorophyll and perform photosynthesis.
 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 –
Morphology of Flowering Plants

Other modifications:

Vegetative reproduction:

Underground stems of some plants such as grass, strawberry, etc. spread to new niches, and when older parts die, new
plants are formed. In plants like mint and jasmine, a slender lateral branch arises from the base of the main axis and,
after growing aerially for some time, arches downwards to touch the ground.
 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 –
Morphology of Flowering Plants

9. Take one flower from each of the families Fabaceae and Solanaceae and write its semi-technical description.
Also, draw their floral diagram after studying them.

Characters of Fabaceae

 They are trees, shrubs herbs having roots with root nodules.
 Stems are erect or climber
 Leaves are alternate, pinnately compound or simple and leaf bases are pulvinate, stipulate with reticulate
venation.
 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 –
Morphology of Flowering Plants

Inflorescence: racemose

Flower: bisexual, zygomorphic

Calyx: sepals five, gamosepalous; valvate/imbricate aestivation

Corolla: petals five, polypetalous, papilionaceous, consisting of a posterior standard, two lateral wings, two anterior
ones forming a keel (enclosing stamens and pistil), vexillary aestivation

Androecium: stamens ten in number, diadelphous, anther dithecous

Gynoecium: ovary superior, monocarpellary, unilocular with many ovules, style single

Fruit: legume; seed: one to many, non-endospermic

Economic importance:

Plants of these families are pulses used as fodder and sweet pea.

Ex: Peas, trifolium,

Floral diagram:

Characters of Solanaceae

 Commonly termed as potato family, Solanaceae are mostly herbs, shrubs and rarely small trees
 Stems are herbaceous, rarely woody, aerial; erect, cylindrical, branched, solid or hollow, hairy or glabrous,
underground stem in potato.

 Leaves are alternate, simple, rarely pinnately compound, and exstipulate with reticulate venation.
 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 –
Morphology of Flowering Plants

Floral Characters

Inflorescence: Solitary, axillary or cymose as in Solanum

Flower: bisexual, actinomorphic

Calyx: sepals five, united, persistent, valvate aestivation

Corolla: petals five, united; valvate aestivation

Androecium: stamens five, epipetalous

Gynoecium: bicarpellary obligately placed, syncarpous; ovary superior, bilocular, the placenta is swollen with many
ovules, axile

Fruits: berry or capsule

Seeds: many, endosperms

Economic importance

Plants belonging to this family are used as food, spices, medicines and ornamentals

Floral diagram:

Ex: Brinjal, chilli, ashwagandha, petunia

10. Describe the various types of placentations found in flowering plants.

 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 –
Morphology of Flowering Plants
Solution:

Various types of placentations found in flowering plants are as follows:

 Marginal – The placenta forms a ridge along the ventral suture of the ovary; ovules are borne on the ridge to
form two rows. Example – Pea.

 Axile – placenta is axial, and ovules are attached to it in a multilocular ovary. Example – lemon.
 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 –
Morphology of Flowering Plants

 Parietal – ovules develop on the inner wall of the ovary or on the peripheral. It is single-chambered, but due to
the formation of a false septum, it becomes two-chambered. Example – Mustard.
 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 –
Morphology of Flowering Plants

 Basal – The placenta develops at the base of the ovary, wherein a single ovule is attached to it. Example –
Marigold
 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 –
Morphology of Flowering Plants

 Free central – The ovules are borne on the central axis, and the septa are absent. Example – Primrose
 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 –
Morphology of Flowering Plants
11. What is a flower? Describe the parts of a typical angiosperm flower.

Solution:

 The reproductive part of an angiosperm is called the flower. It is a modified shoot wherein the shoot apical
meristem changes to floral meristem.
 A typical flower has four different kinds of whorls that are organized successively on the swollen end of the
pedicel or stalk, known as the receptacle or thalamus. These four parts are classified under accessory organs
and reproductive organs. When the calyx and corolla are not distinct, they are called perianth.
 The accessory organs are calyx and corolla; the reproductive organs are androecium and gynoecium
Parts of the flower are as follows:

1. Calyx:

It is the lowermost and outermost whorl of the flower, and they are called sepals. They render support and protection to
other floral structures.

2. Corolla:

Corolla is composed of petals which are brightly coloured to attract insects for pollination. Located inner to the sepals
and outside the stamens.

3. Androecium:

Androecium consists of stamens which represent male reproductive organs of a stalk, filament and an anther.

Anthers are bilobed, where each lobe has two chambers, the pollen sacs where pollen grains are produced. The stamens
may be united with other members, namely petals or amongst themselves.

4.Gynoecium:

The gynoecium is the female reproductive part of a flower which is made of one or more carpels, which in turn is
composed of three parts – stigma, ovary, and style. The ovary is found at the base, enlarged bearing the style, which is
an elongated tube. The ovary is connected to the stigma through the style, the tip of which bears the stigma where
pollen grains are received. Each of the ovaries bears one or more ovules attached to the placenta.
 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 –
Morphology of Flowering Plants

12. How do the various leaf modifications help plants?

Solution:

Leaves fundamentally perform photosynthesis. But in some plants, leaves are modified to carry out different
functionalities, as mentioned below:

Tendrils: Tendrils helps with climbing as in peas

Spines: Thorns are modified leaves that protect plants from animals, serving as an organ of defence.

Pitcher: Leaves of this plant are modified into pitcher-like structures containing digestive juices aiding in trapping and
digesting insects.

Synthesis of food: Fleshy leaves of garlic and onion store some food. These are modified leaves. Phyllodes emerging
from the petioles of leaves synthesize food. Phyllodes are flattened, green structures that replace the short-lived leaves.

13. Define the term inflorescence. Explain the basis for the different types of inflorescence in flowering plants.

Solution:

Inflorescence is the arrangement of flowers on the floral axis.

There are two major types of inflorescence depending upon whether the apex is converted into a flower or continues to
grow. They are as follows:
 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 –
Morphology of Flowering Plants
Racemose: A type of inflorescence in which the flowers are borne laterally in acropetal succession, i.e., newer flowers
are near the apex while older flowers are at the base. The main axis continues to grow.

Cymose: A type of inflorescence in which the main axis terminates in a flower and has limited growth. Flowers are
borne in a basipetal order where younger flowers are near the base, and older flowers are at the apex.
 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 –
Morphology of Flowering Plants

14. Write the floral formula of an actinomorphic, bisexual, hypogynous flower with five united sepals, five free
petals, five free stamens and two united carpels with superior ovary and axile placentation.

Solution:

The floral formula is as follows:

 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 –
Morphology of Flowering Plants

15. Describe the arrangement of floral members in relation to their insertion on the thalamus.

Solution:

The arrangement of floral members in relation to their insertion on the thalamus are of three types:

Hypogynous flowers are the ones in which the gynoecium occupies the highest position while the other parts are
situated below it. The ovary is said to be superior. Example – Brinjal.

Perigynous flowers are the ones in which gynoecium stays in the centre and other parts of the flower are located on the
rim of the thalamus, almost at the same
level. The ovary is said to be half inferior.
Example – Rose.
 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 –
Morphology of Flowering Plants
Epigynous flowers are the ones in which the margin of the thalamus grows upwards, enfolding the ovary. Here the
ovary gets fused with the thalamus, and other parts of the flower arise above the ovary. Hence ovary is said to be
inferior. Example – Flowers of guava