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NCERT Exercises and Solutions: Morphology of Flowering Plants

🎓 Class 11 Biology CBSE Theory Ch 5 – Morphology of Flowering Plants ⏱ ~8 min
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NCERT Exercises and Solutions: Morphology of Flowering Plants

Chapter 5 Summary

Angiosperms exhibit enormous variation in shape, size, structure, and mode of nutrition. The body has a clear differentiation into root and shoot. The root system may be tap (mustard, dicots), fibrous (wheat, monocots), or adventitious (banyan). Roots and stems show modifications for storage (radish, carrot, ginger, potato), support (banyan prop, maize stilt), respiration (Rhizophora pneumatophores), climbing (cucumber tendrils), and defence (citrus thorns).

Leaves possess a base, petiole, and lamina; leaves are simple or compound (pinnate or palmate); show reticulate (dicots) or parallel (monocots) venation; phyllotaxy is alternate, opposite, or whorled.

The flower is the reproductive shoot. Inflorescence is racemose (acropetal) or cymose (basipetal). Flowers may be actinomorphic, zygomorphic, or asymmetric; trimerous/tetramerous/pentamerous. Position of ovary on thalamus gives hypogynous, perigynous, epigynous flowers. Aestivation can be valvate, twisted, imbricate, vexillary. Placentation can be marginal, axile, parietal, free central, or basal.

Fruit is a ripened ovary; true (mango), false (apple), simple, aggregate, multiple. Pericarp may have epicarp/mesocarp/endocarp. Seeds are dicot (two cotyledons; bean) or monocot (one cotyledon = scutellum; maize, with aleurone layer, coleoptile, coleorhiza). The floral formula compactly summarises symmetry, sex, calyx, corolla/perianth, androecium, gynoecium and ovary position; major families: Fabaceae, Solanaceae, Liliaceae.

Key Terms

Pulvinus, Vexillum, Caryopsis, Sorosis, Hypanthium

NCERT Exercises

Q1. 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?

Modification of root: Change in the shape and structure of root to perform functions other than absorption and conduction (e.g., support, storage, respiration).

(a) Banyan tree: Prop roots — adventitious roots that grow downward from horizontal aerial branches and act as pillars for mechanical support of the heavy crown.
(b) Turnip: Napiform tap root — primary root becomes greatly swollen at the upper part (almost spherical), tapers abruptly below; stores food.
(c) Mangrove trees (Rhizophora): Pneumatophores — many roots grow vertically upward (negatively geotropic) above the marshy soil, with lenticels for gaseous exchange in oxygen-poor mud.

Q2. Justify the following statements on the basis of external features: (a) Underground parts of a plant are not always roots (b) Flower is a modified shoot.

(a) Underground parts ≠ always roots.
  • Many underground parts are stems: potato (tuber with eyes/buds), ginger/turmeric (rhizome with nodes/internodes), onion (bulb with reduced stem disc), colocasia (corm).
  • Stems show nodes, internodes, scale leaves, and axillary buds — features absent in roots.
  • Roots never bear buds in regular pattern.
(b) Flower = modified shoot.
  • The shoot apical meristem changes to floral meristem when ready to flower.
  • Internodes do not elongate; thalamus represents the condensed axis.
  • Sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels are modified leaves arranged in whorls (Goethe's foliar theory; supported by ABC genetic model).
  • Bracts, pedicels are direct stem features; calyx is leaf-like in many flowers.

Q3. How is a pinnately compound leaf different from a palmately compound leaf?

Pinnately compound: Leaflets are arranged on either side of the common axis (rachis), like a feather. Each leaflet has its own petiolule. Examples: neem, rose. Subtypes: unipinnate, bipinnate, tripinnate, decompound.

Palmately compound: Leaflets attached at a common point (tip of the petiole), like fingers from a palm. Examples: silk cotton, Trifolium. Subtypes: unifoliate, bifoliate, trifoliate, quadrifoliate, multifoliate.

Both are compound leaves (lamina divided up to midrib forming separate leaflets) but differ in attachment of leaflets — along an axis (pinnate) vs at a single point (palmate).

Q4. Explain with suitable examples the different types of phyllotaxy.

Phyllotaxy = pattern of leaf arrangement on stem/branch.
  1. Alternate: Single leaf at each node, with successive leaves on opposite sides. e.g., china rose, mustard, sunflower.
  2. Opposite: Two leaves at each node, opposite to each other. Two sub-types — opposite decussate (successive pairs at right angles, e.g., Calotropis) and opposite superposed (all pairs in same plane, e.g., guava).
  3. Whorled: More than two leaves at each node, arranged in a whorl. e.g., Alstonia, Nerium.
The pattern minimises mutual shading and maximises light capture — often follows Fibonacci angles (e.g., golden angle of ~137.5°).

Q5. Define the following terms: (a) Aestivation (b) Placentation (c) Actinomorphic (d) Zygomorphic (e) Superior ovary (f) Perigynous flower (g) Epipetalous stamen.

(a) Aestivation: Mode of arrangement of sepals or petals in a floral bud with respect to other members of the same whorl (valvate, twisted, imbricate, vexillary).
(b) Placentation: Arrangement of ovules within the ovary (marginal, axile, parietal, free central, basal).
(c) Actinomorphic: A flower divisible into two equal radial halves through any vertical plane — radial symmetry. e.g., mustard, datura.
(d) Zygomorphic: A flower divisible into two equal halves only by a single vertical plane — bilateral symmetry. e.g., pea, Cassia.
(e) Superior ovary: Ovary attached above the level of attachment of other floral parts (sepals, petals, stamens). Found in hypogynous flowers (mustard, china rose, brinjal).
(f) Perigynous flower: Thalamus is cup-shaped; gynoecium in centre, other parts arise from the rim — at the same level as middle of ovary. Ovary is half-inferior. e.g., rose, plum, peach.
(g) Epipetalous stamen: Stamens that are attached to (united with) the petals. e.g., brinjal, Datura, Solanaceae generally.

Q6. Differentiate between (a) Racemose and Cymose inflorescence (b) Fibrous root and Adventitious root (c) Apocarpous and Syncarpous ovary.

(a) Racemose vs Cymose:
FeatureRacemoseCymose
Main axisContinues to grow (indeterminate)Terminates in a flower (determinate)
Flower orderAcropetal (older below)Basipetal (older above)
ExampleRadish, mustardJasmine, Hamelia
(b) Fibrous vs Adventitious:
FeatureFibrousAdventitious
OriginBase of stem (replaces primary root)Any non-radicle part
Found inMonocots (wheat, grass)Monocots & dicots; modifications
ExampleWheat seedlingBanyan prop, money plant
(c) Apocarpous vs Syncarpous:
FeatureApocarpousSyncarpous
CarpelsFree (separate)Fused
ExamplesLotus, roseMustard, tomato, papaya

Q7. Draw the labelled diagrams of the following: (i) Gram seed (ii) V.S. of maize seed.

Gram seed (dicot): External — testa, hilum, micropyle. On opening: two thick fleshy cotyledons; embryonal axis with radicle pointing toward micropyle and plumule between cotyledons. Endosperm absent (non-endospermic).

V.S. of maize seed (monocot): Outer covering = pericarp + testa fused. Bulky endosperm with proteinous aleurone layer just inside the covering. Embryo on one side: scutellum (single shield-shaped cotyledon), embryonal axis with plumule and radicle, both enclosed in protective sheaths — coleoptile (over plumule) and coleorhiza (over radicle).

[See diagrams in Part 3 of this chapter for full SVG illustrations.]

Q8. Describe modifications of stem with suitable examples.

Underground (storage / perennation):
  • Rhizome: ginger, turmeric — horizontal, with nodes/internodes, scale leaves.
  • Tuber: potato — swollen tip of underground branch; eyes are buds.
  • Bulb: onion, garlic — disc-like reduced stem with fleshy scale leaves.
  • Corm: Colocasia, Crocus — vertical underground stem.
Sub-aerial (vegetative propagation):
  • Runner: grass, mint — creeping stem rooting at nodes.
  • Stolon: mint, jasmine — slender lateral branch arching down.
  • Offset: Pistia, Eichhornia — short thicker runner in aquatic plants.
  • Sucker: banana, Chrysanthemum — arises from underground stem, grows obliquely upward.
Aerial:
  • Tendril: Cucurbita — thin coiling for climbing.
  • Thorn: Bougainvillea, Citrus — defence (modified axillary bud).
  • Phylloclade: Opuntia — flattened green stem, photosynthetic.
  • Cladode: Asparagus — green stem of one or two internodes.

Q9. Take one flower each of the families Fabaceae and Solanaceae and write its semi-technical description. Also draw their floral diagram after studying them.

Fabaceae — Pea (Pisum sativum):
Habit: Annual herb, climbing by leaf tendrils. Root: Tap with nodules. Stem: Weak, climbing. Leaves: Pinnately compound; terminal leaflets modified to tendrils; stipules large and leafy. Inflorescence: Axillary raceme. Flower: Bisexual, zygomorphic. Calyx: K(5), gamosepalous. Corolla: C1+2+(2), papilionaceous, vexillary aestivation. Androecium: A(9)+1, diadelphous. Gynoecium: G1, monocarpellary, superior. Fruit: Legume.
Floral formula: % ⚥ K(5) C1+2+(2) A(9)+1 G1

Solanaceae — Datura (Datura stramonium):
Habit: Erect annual herb. Stem: Cylindrical, hollow. Leaves: Alternate, simple, lobed, exstipulate. Inflorescence: Solitary axillary cyme. Flower: Bisexual, actinomorphic. Calyx: K(5), gamosepalous, persistent, valvate. Corolla: C(5), gamopetalous, funnel-shaped, valvate. Androecium: A5, epipetalous. Gynoecium: G(2), bicarpellary, syncarpous, ovary superior, bilocular, swollen axile placentation. Fruit: Capsule.
Floral formula: ⊕ ⚥ K(5) C(5) A5 G(2)

[Floral diagrams: See Fig 5.13 and 5.14 in Part 4 of this chapter.]

Q10. Describe the various types of placentations found in flowering plants.

Placentation = arrangement of ovules within the ovary on the placenta.
  1. Marginal: Placenta forms a ridge along the ventral suture; ovules borne in two rows. Unilocular. e.g., pea (Fabaceae).
  2. Axile: Ovary multilocular; placenta is axial; ovules attached to central axis. e.g., china rose, tomato, lemon.
  3. Parietal: Ovules develop on the inner wall of the unilocular ovary or on peripheral placentae. e.g., mustard, Argemone.
  4. Free central: Ovules are borne on a central axis, with no septa dividing the ovary. e.g., Dianthus, Primrose.
  5. Basal: Placenta develops at the base of ovary; only a single ovule attached. e.g., sunflower, marigold.
[See Fig 5.7 in Part 2 of this chapter for diagrams.]

Q11. What is a flower? Describe the parts of a typical angiosperm flower.

Flower: The reproductive unit of angiosperms; a modified shoot meant for sexual reproduction.

Parts of a typical flower (4 whorls on thalamus):
  1. Calyx (sepals): Outermost, generally green and leaf-like; protects the bud. May be free (polysepalous) or united (gamosepalous).
  2. Corolla (petals): Inner to calyx; brightly coloured to attract pollinators. Free (polypetalous) or united (gamopetalous). Aestivation may be valvate, twisted, imbricate, or vexillary.
  3. Androecium (stamens): Each stamen has a filament + anther (bilobed, bearing pollen sacs). Sterile = staminode. Stamens may fuse to form bundles (mono-, di-, polyadelphous) or attach to petals (epipetalous).
  4. Gynoecium (carpels): Female part. Each carpel has a stigma (pollen-receiving), style (connecting), and ovary (containing ovules on placenta). Carpels may be free (apocarpous) or fused (syncarpous).
Pedicel + receptacle (thalamus) bear all whorls. Bracts are leaf-like protective structures below pedicel.

Q12. How do the various leaf modifications help plants?

  • Tendrils (climbing): Leaves modified for support; pea (terminal leaflets), Smilax. Help weak-stemmed plants climb to reach light.
  • Spines (defence + reduced transpiration): Leaves modified into hard pointed structures; cactus (Opuntia). Protect against herbivores; reduce surface area to conserve water.
  • Storage: Fleshy leaves of onion/garlic store food and water for the plant.
  • Phyllode (photosynthesis substitute): Petiole flattens and turns green; Australian acacia. Used in dry climates where leaves would lose too much water.
  • Pitcher (insect trapping): Highly modified leaf in pitcher plant traps insects to supplement nitrogen in nitrogen-poor soils.
  • Bladder (Utricularia): Modified leaf-bladder with trap-doors to catch micro-organisms.
  • Floral leaves (bracts): Brightly coloured leaves attract pollinators in Bougainvillea, poinsettia.
Each modification represents an evolutionary adaptation to specific ecological challenges.

Q13. Define the term inflorescence. Explain the basis for the different types of inflorescence in flowering plants.

Inflorescence: The arrangement of flowers on the floral axis (peduncle/rachis).

Basis of classification: Whether the apex of the main axis is converted into a flower or continues to grow.
  • Racemose: Main axis continues to grow (indeterminate); flowers borne laterally in acropetal succession (older flowers below, younger above). e.g., radish, mustard, larkspur. Sub-types: simple raceme, spike, catkin, spadix, corymb, umbel, head/capitulum.
  • Cymose: Main axis ends in a flower (determinate); growth limited; younger flowers below the older one (basipetal). e.g., Jasminum, Hamelia. Sub-types: uniparous (monochasial), biparous (dichasial), multiparous (polychasial).
The arrangement governs pollinator visit pattern and seed dispersal efficiency.

Q14. 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.

Building step by step:
  • Actinomorphic = ⊕
  • Bisexual = ⚥
  • Hypogynous = ovary superior, written as G with line above (or simply listed last with no underline)
  • 5 sepals united = K(5)
  • 5 petals free = C5
  • 5 stamens free = A5
  • 2 carpels united, superior ovary, axile placentation = G(2)
Floral formula: ⊕ ⚥ K(5) C5 A5 G(2)
This matches family Solanaceae (e.g., petunia, datura).

Q15. Describe the arrangement of floral members in relation to their insertion on thalamus.

Based on the position of calyx, corolla, and androecium with respect to the ovary on the thalamus:
  1. Hypogynous flower: Gynoecium occupies the highest position; calyx, corolla, and androecium are inserted below it. Ovary superior. e.g., mustard, china rose, brinjal.
  2. Perigynous flower: Thalamus is cup-shaped; gynoecium in the centre; other parts inserted at the rim, at the same level as the middle of the ovary. Ovary half-inferior. e.g., plum, rose, peach.
  3. Epigynous flower: Margin of thalamus grows upward enclosing the ovary completely; calyx, corolla, and androecium attach above the ovary. Ovary inferior. e.g., guava, cucumber, ray florets of sunflower.
This represents an evolutionary trend from primitive (hypogyny) to advanced (epigyny) — the ovary 'sinks' into the thalamus for better protection.
Activity 5.5 — Field Study Walk

Setup: Take a walk in your school garden / nearby park. Pick five different plants.

Predict: Describe each in terms of: root type, leaf venation, flower symmetry, ovary position. Then deduce: dicot or monocot? Identify the family if possible.

Sample 1: Hibiscus (china rose) — Tap root; reticulate venation; actinomorphic flower; superior ovary → Dicot (Malvaceae).

Sample 2: Onion plant in flower — Bulb (modified stem); parallel venation; actinomorphic flower with perianth → Monocot (Liliaceae).

Sample 3: Tomato plant — Tap root; reticulate venation; actinomorphic flower; superior bilocular ovary → Dicot (Solanaceae).

Sample 4: Pea plant — Tap root with nodules; pinnately compound leaves with leaflet-tendrils; zygomorphic vexillary flower → Dicot (Fabaceae).

Sample 5: Grass — Fibrous root; parallel venation; reduced flowers in spikelets → Monocot (Poaceae).

Interactive: Quick Revision Quiz

Test yourself — pick the right answer and reveal:

Which of the following is a false fruit?

  • (a) Mango
  • (b) Apple
  • (c) Tomato
  • (d) Coconut
Apple — fleshy edible part is thalamus, not ovary.

In Liliaceae, the perianth has how many tepals?

  • (a) 5
  • (b) 4
  • (c) 6 (3+3)
  • (d) 10
6 (3+3) — typical trimerous monocot pattern.

Competency-Based Questions

Q1. The fleshy edible part of mango is: L1 Remember

  • (a) Epicarp
  • (b) Mesocarp
  • (c) Endocarp
  • (d) Thalamus
(b) Mesocarp. Mango is a drupe — middle fleshy mesocarp is what we eat.

Q2. The 'eyes' of a potato are actually: L2 Understand

  • (a) Roots
  • (b) Buds
  • (c) Stomata
  • (d) Lenticels
(b) Buds. Potato is a stem tuber; eyes are axillary buds in axils of scale leaves — confirming its stem origin.

Q3. Match the family with its key floral feature: L3 Apply

Fabaceae: diadelphous stamens (9+1)
Solanaceae: 5 epipetalous stamens; bicarpellary syncarpous ovary
Liliaceae: 6 tepals (3+3); 6 stamens; tricarpellary; parallel venation in leaves

Q4. Analyse: A plant has tap root with nodules, pinnately compound leaves, zygomorphic flowers, vexillary aestivation, fruit = pod. Identify and explain ecological significance. L4 Analyse

Identity: Family Fabaceae (legume).
Ecological significance:
  • Root nodules contain Rhizobium → fix atmospheric N₂ → enrich soil with usable nitrogen
  • Used as cover/rotation crops to restore soil fertility (no synthetic fertilisers)
  • Seeds rich in protein → vital food source in vegetarian diets
  • Pod fruit dispersal mechanism allows wide colonisation
Examples: pea, gram, soybean, lupin — backbone of sustainable agriculture.

Q5. Create: Design a poster summarising the morphological features that distinguish dicots from monocots. L6 Create

Dicot vs Monocot Comparison Poster:
FeatureDicotMonocot
CotyledonsTwoOne
RootTap rootFibrous root
VenationReticulateParallel
FlowerTetra/Pentamerous (4/5)Trimerous (3 or multiple of 3)
Vascular bundles in stemIn a ring; with cambium (open)Scattered; without cambium (closed)
ExamplesMango, mustard, hibiscusWheat, lily, banana
Layout: Two side-by-side columns with leaf, flower, and root sketches; bullet points for each feature; bright colour-coded boxes.

Assertion–Reason Questions

Choose: (A) Both true, R explains A. (B) Both true, R doesn't explain A. (C) A true, R false. (D) A false, R true.

A: Coconut is a drupe.

R: The pericarp of coconut is differentiated into thin epicarp, fibrous mesocarp, and stony endocarp.

Answer: (A). Both true; R correctly explains A. The fibrous coir is the mesocarp; the hard shell we crack is endocarp; the white edible 'meat' is endosperm of the seed.

A: Maize seed is monocotyledonous.

R: It contains coleoptile and coleorhiza.

Answer: (B). Both are true but R doesn't explain A. Maize is monocot because it has one cotyledon (scutellum); coleoptile/coleorhiza are additional protective sheaths characteristic of grasses, not the defining feature of monocot status.

A: The flowers of pea are zygomorphic.

R: The petals show vexillary aestivation with one large standard, two lateral wings, and two innermost keel petals.

Answer: (A). Both true; R explains A. The unique vexillary arrangement is what creates bilateral symmetry — only one vertical plane divides the flower into mirror halves.

Frequently Asked Questions - NCERT Exercises and Solutions: Morphology of Flowering Plants

What are the most-asked NCERT exercise questions in Chapter 5 Morphology of Flowering Plants?
NCERT Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 Morphology of Flowering Plants exercises cover definitions, classification, structure-function relationships, labelled diagrams, and application-based questions. The MyAiSchool exercise set provides full step-by-step solutions for every NCERT question, aligned with the CBSE board exam pattern. Students should master scientific terminology, diagram labelling, and concept comparison tables to score full marks.
How should students approach labelled diagram questions in Morphology of Flowering Plants?
For labelled diagram questions in NCERT Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 Morphology of Flowering Plants: (1) draw a clean, large, proportional diagram with sharp pencil lines, (2) label each part with horizontal lines on the right or left side, (3) use scientific terminology (Latin/Greek names where applicable), (4) write a 1-2 line description below if asked. The MyAiSchool solutions provide editable reference diagrams aligned with NCERT textbook figures.
What types of CBSE board questions come from Chapter 5?
CBSE Class 11 Biology board questions from Chapter 5 (Morphology of Flowering Plants) typically include: (1) 1-mark MCQs on definitions and classification, (2) 2-mark short-answers on structure-function or comparisons, (3) 3-mark labelled-diagram questions, (4) 5-mark long-answer essays combining diagram + description + significance. The MyAiSchool exercise set tags each question by mark weight and Bloom level (L1-L6).
How do I compare two biological concepts in 5-mark questions?
For 5-mark comparison questions in NCERT Class 11 Biology Chapter 5: (1) use a two-column table with feature headings down the left side, (2) compare on at least 5-6 features (structure, function, location, examples, significance), (3) include one labelled diagram if relevant, (4) end with one line on biological significance. The MyAiSchool solutions follow this CBSE-aligned tabular format consistently for full marks.
What are common mistakes in Chapter 5 exercises?
Common mistakes in NCERT Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 (Morphology of Flowering Plants) include: (1) confusing similar scientific names or terminology, (2) skipping diagram labels or drawing too small, (3) missing examples in classification questions, (4) writing essay-style answers when a table is expected, (5) forgetting to mention biological significance. The MyAiSchool solutions highlight these traps so students avoid losing marks unnecessarily.
How does the MyAiSchool solution differ from other NCERT solution sets?
MyAiSchool Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 Morphology of Flowering Plants solutions use NEP 2024-aligned pedagogy with Bloom Taxonomy tagged questions (L1 Remember to L6 Create), step-by-step working with biological reasoning, fully labelled SVG diagrams, comparison tables, interactive simulations, and Competency-Based Questions (CBQs) for board exam practice. Each solution is verified against NCERT textbook and CBSE marking schemes.
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