Understanding the salient features of Plantae is essential for B.Pharm students focusing on pharmacognosy, plant taxonomy and phytochemistry. This concise, Student-friendly guide on “Salient features of Plantae MCQs With Answer” highlights plant morphology, cell structure, reproduction, classification (bryophytes to angiosperms), secondary metabolites and medicinal plant sources. These Plantae MCQs emphasize practical identification traits, secretory structures, storage organs, and pharmacologically important compounds like alkaloids, glycosides, terpenoids and tannins. Clear, focused questions will strengthen exam readiness and drug-source recognition for pharmacy practice. Now let’s test your knowledge with 50 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. Which statement correctly describes a primary characteristic of the kingdom Plantae?
- Unicellular, prokaryotic organisms without chlorophyll
- Multicellular, eukaryotic organisms with cell walls composed of cellulose
- Heterotrophic organisms feeding on decomposed matter
- Lack of organized tissues and chloroplasts
Correct Answer: Multicellular, eukaryotic organisms with cell walls composed of cellulose
Q2. What is the primary photosynthetic pigment in most plants?
- Carotene
- Chlorophyll a
- Phycobilin
- Xanthophyll
Correct Answer: Chlorophyll a
Q3. Which polysaccharide is the main structural component of plant cell walls?
- Glycogen
- Cellulose
- Chitin
- Starch
Correct Answer: Cellulose
Q4. What is the principal storage carbohydrate in most plants?
- Glucose
- Cellulose
- Starch
- Fructan
Correct Answer: Starch
Q5. Alternation of generations in plants refers to the life cycle between which two phases?
- Sporophyte and Gametophyte
- Seedling and Adult plant
- Monocot and Dicot
- Vascular and Non-vascular phases
Correct Answer: Sporophyte and Gametophyte
Q6. Which group of plants are non-vascular and commonly used in basic pharmacognosy for morphological study?
- Pteridophytes
- Gymnosperms
- Bryophytes
- Angiosperms
Correct Answer: Bryophytes
Q7. Which plant group has seeds but lacks flowers and fruits?
- Angiosperms
- Pteridophytes
- Bryophytes
- Gymnosperms
Correct Answer: Gymnosperms
Q8. Which major plant division is characterized by flowers and enclosed seeds?
- Gymnosperms
- Pteridophytes
- Angiosperms
- Bryophytes
Correct Answer: Angiosperms
Q9. Which group of plants has well-developed vascular tissues but reproduces via spores?
- Pteridophytes
- Angiosperms
- Gymnosperms
- Bryophytes
Correct Answer: Pteridophytes
Q10. What is the primary function of xylem tissue?
- Transport of sugars
- Transport of water and minerals
- Photosynthesis
- Reproduction
Correct Answer: Transport of water and minerals
Q11. What is the main function of phloem in vascular plants?
- Conduction of water and ions
- Support and mechanical strength
- Transport of organic nutrients (sugars)
- Gas exchange
Correct Answer: Transport of organic nutrients (sugars)
Q12. Which group typically lacks vessel elements in xylem and primarily contains tracheids?
- Angiosperms
- Gymnosperms
- Pteridophytes
- Bryophytes
Correct Answer: Gymnosperms
Q13. Which polymer provides rigidity to secondary cell walls in plants?
- Lignin
- Pectin
- Cellulose
- Sucrose
Correct Answer: Lignin
Q14. Alkaloids are best described as which type of plant compound?
- Neutral volatile hydrocarbons
- Acidic polysaccharides
- Basic nitrogen-containing secondary metabolites
- Sulfated glycoproteins
Correct Answer: Basic nitrogen-containing secondary metabolites
Q15. Which class of secondary metabolites includes menthol and camphor?
- Alkaloids
- Glycosides
- Terpenes/terpenoids
- Tannins
Correct Answer: Terpenes/terpenoids
Q16. A glycoside molecule is composed of which two parts?
- Protein and lipid
- Carbohydrate and nucleic acid
- Sugar (glycone) and non-sugar aglycone
- Fatty acid and glycerol
Correct Answer: Sugar (glycone) and non-sugar aglycone
Q17. Which plant organ is the commercial source of ginger used in pharmacy?
- Rhizome
- Leaf
- Seed
- Flower
Correct Answer: Rhizome
Q18. Which of the following is a modified stem specialized for underground storage as in potato?
- Bulb
- Tuber
- Rhizome
- Taproot
Correct Answer: Tuber
Q19. What is the plant secretory element that produces latex in species like Hevea?
- Trichome
- Stomata
- Laticifer
- Sieve tube
Correct Answer: Laticifer
Q20. Hair-like epidermal outgrowths involved in secretion or protection are called what?
- Vascular bundles
- Trichomes
- Root hairs
- Stomata
Correct Answer: Trichomes
Q21. Which medicinal plant is the source of cardiac glycosides used to treat heart conditions (digitalis compounds)?
- Digitalis (foxglove)
- Atropa belladonna
- Mentha
- Curcuma
Correct Answer: Digitalis (foxglove)
Q22. Atropa belladonna (deadly nightshade) belongs to which plant family known for many alkaloid-producing species?
- Lamiaceae
- Fabaceae
- Solanaceae
- Apiaceae
Correct Answer: Solanaceae
Q23. Which botanist is credited with establishing binomial nomenclature used for plant scientific names?
- Charles Darwin
- Gregor Mendel
- Carl Linnaeus
- Alexander Fleming
Correct Answer: Carl Linnaeus
Q24. What is the correct order for writing a plant’s scientific name?
- Species followed by Genus
- Family followed by Genus
- Genus followed by species
- Order followed by Family
Correct Answer: Genus followed by species
Q25. Which tissue type is responsible for primary growth in plants?
- Permanent tissue
- Meristematic tissue
- Sclerenchyma
- Vascular tissue
Correct Answer: Meristematic tissue
Q26. Secondary growth (increase in girth) in dicot stems is primarily due to which vascular tissue?
- Cork cambium
- Apical meristem
- Vascular cambium
- Intercalary meristem
Correct Answer: Vascular cambium
Q27. Which reagent is commonly used as a specific phytochemical test for alkaloids?
- Lead acetate
- Dragendorff’s reagent
- Acrolein test
- Benedict’s reagent
Correct Answer: Dragendorff’s reagent
Q28. Which reagent is used to detect phenolic compounds in plant extracts?
- Ferric chloride (FeCl3)
- Sodium nitroprusside
- Biuret reagent
- Ninhydrin
Correct Answer: Ferric chloride (FeCl3)
Q29. Yellow and orange pigments in many flowers and fruits are mainly which compounds?
- Anthocyanins
- Chlorophylls
- Carotenoids
- Alkaloids
Correct Answer: Carotenoids
Q30. Tannins belong to which chemical class of plant secondary metabolites?
- Terpenoids
- Polyphenols
- Alkaloids
- Saponins
Correct Answer: Polyphenols
Q31. Which plant part of Mentha species is primarily used to obtain menthol-rich essential oil?
- Roots
- Leaves
- Seeds
- Stem bark
Correct Answer: Leaves
Q32. Which organelle in plant cells is the primary site of photosynthesis?
- Mitochondrion
- Chloroplast
- Golgi apparatus
- Endoplasmic reticulum
Correct Answer: Chloroplast
Q33. The specialized leaf anatomy called Kranz anatomy is characteristic of which photosynthetic pathway?
- C3 pathway
- C4 pathway
- CAM pathway
- Photorespiration
Correct Answer: C4 pathway
Q34. Which adaptation is typical of CAM plants to reduce water loss?
- Open stomata during the day
- Open stomata at night to fix CO2
- Lack of stomata
- Constant stomatal opening
Correct Answer: Open stomata at night to fix CO2
Q35. Endosperm in most angiosperm seeds is typically:
- Haploid
- Diploid
- Triploid
- Tetraploid
Correct Answer: Triploid
Q36. Which plant group produces seeds that are enclosed within a fruit?
- Gymnosperms
- Angiosperms
- Pteridophytes
- Bryophytes
Correct Answer: Angiosperms
Q37. The male reproductive organ of a flower is called the:
- Pistil
- Sepal
- Stamen
- Petal
Correct Answer: Stamen
Q38. The female reproductive part of a flower is known as the:
- Corolla
- Pistil (carpel)
- Stamen
- Perianth
Correct Answer: Pistil (carpel)
Q39. Which vascular element is primarily responsible for long-distance transport of photosynthates?
- Xylem tracheids
- Phloem sieve tubes
- Sclerenchyma fibers
- Parenchyma cells
Correct Answer: Phloem sieve tubes
Q40. The mutualistic association between plant roots and fungi that enhances nutrient uptake is called:
- Rhizobium symbiosis
- Mycorrhiza
- Commensalism
- Parasitism
Correct Answer: Mycorrhiza
Q41. Camphor, a common plant-derived compound, is classified as which type of metabolite?
- Alkaloid
- Terpenoid
- Flavonoid
- Glycoside
Correct Answer: Terpenoid
Q42. The middle lamella between plant cells is primarily composed of which substance?
- Lignin
- Pectin
- Cellulose microfibrils
- Starch granules
Correct Answer: Pectin
Q43. Rapidly synthesized antimicrobial plant compounds induced by pathogens are termed:
- Phytohormones
- Phytoalexins
- Phytoestrogens
- Phytosterols
Correct Answer: Phytoalexins
Q44. Which simple chemical test is used to detect the presence of starch in plant material?
- Miller’s test
- Biuret test
- Iodine (iodide) test producing blue-black color
- Salkowski test
Correct Answer: Iodine (iodide) test producing blue-black color
Q45. Which of the following is a representative genus of gymnosperms commonly studied in pharmacognosy?
- Pinus
- Rosa
- Oryza
- Lilium
Correct Answer: Pinus
Q46. A defining characteristic of monocotyledonous (monocot) seeds is:
- Two cotyledons
- One cotyledon
- Numerous vascular cambiums
- Net-like leaf venation
Correct Answer: One cotyledon
Q47. Dicotyledonous plants typically show which type of leaf venation?
- Parallel venation
- Random venation
- Reticulate (net-like) venation
- Whorled venation
Correct Answer: Reticulate (net-like) venation
Q48. Which compound isolated from willow bark inspired the development of aspirin?
- Quinine
- Salicin
- Atropine
- Ephedrine
Correct Answer: Salicin
Q49. Spoiled sweet clover led to the discovery of which anticoagulant compound?
- Coumarin
- Dicoumarol
- Warfarin
- Heparin
Correct Answer: Dicoumarol
Q50. Which analytical technique is widely used in pharmacognosy for separation and identification of plant constituents?
- Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry exclusively
- Thin layer chromatography (TLC)
- Gel electrophoresis
- X-ray crystallography
Correct Answer: Thin layer chromatography (TLC)
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