Morphology of root MCQs With Answer

Morphology of root MCQs With Answer

This concise, Student-friendly post helps B.Pharm students master the morphology of root — covering root anatomy, root types, root histology and adaptations relevant to pharmacognosy and medicinal plant identification. Focused keywords include morphology of root, root anatomy, root types, root functions, root histology, and medicinal roots. The content explains essential concepts such as root cap, apical meristem, cortex, endodermis with Casparian strip, pericycle, vascular arrangement in monocots and dicots, and root modifications that store secondary metabolites. Designed for exam and practical preparation, these MCQs reinforce understanding of structure-function relationships and identification of roots important in drug sourcing. Now let’s test your knowledge with 50 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. What is the primary function of the root cap?

• Photosynthesis
• Protection of apical meristem and perception of gravity
• Water transport to the shoot
• Synthesis of chlorophyll

Correct Answer: Protection of apical meristem and perception of gravity

Q2. Which layer of the root contains the Casparian strip?

• Epidermis
• Cortex
• Endodermis
• Pericycle

Correct Answer: Endodermis

Q3. Root hairs arise from which tissue?

• Pericycle
• Root cap
• Epidermis (trichoblasts)
• Cambium

Correct Answer: Epidermis (trichoblasts)

Q4. In dicot primary roots, the vascular arrangement typically shows:

• Scattered vascular bundles
• A solid central stele with xylem in an X or star shape
• Concentric rings of phloem surrounding xylem
• Separate collateral bundles

Correct Answer: A solid central stele with xylem in an X or star shape

Q5. Which tissue gives rise to lateral roots?

• Cortex
• Pericycle
• Epidermis
• Endodermis

Correct Answer: Pericycle

Q6. Which zone of the root is primarily responsible for cell elongation?

• Root cap zone
• Meristematic zone
• Elongation zone
• Maturation zone

Correct Answer: Elongation zone

Q7. Which root type is typical of monocotyledonous plants?

• Taproot system
• Adventitious fibrous root system
• Storage root
• Haustorial root

Correct Answer: Adventitious fibrous root system

Q8. The Casparian strip is composed mainly of:

• Cellulose
• Lignin
• Suberin
• Cutin

Correct Answer: Suberin

Q9. Root apical meristem differentiates into which primary meristems?

• Protoderm, ground meristem, procambium
• Vascular cambium and cork cambium
• Epidermis only
• Pericycle and endodermis only

Correct Answer: Protoderm, ground meristem, procambium

Q10. Which cells in the root cap act as gravity sensors (statocytes)?

• Columella cells with statoliths
• Root hair cells
• Endodermal cells
• Pericycle cells

Correct Answer: Columella cells with statoliths

Q11. Mycorrhizae that penetrate root cortical cells are called:

• Ectomycorrhiza
• Arbuscular (endomycorrhiza)
• Epiphytic mycorrhiza
• Rhizobial nodules

Correct Answer: Arbuscular (endomycorrhiza)

Q12. Which modification of root is specialized for respiration in mangroves?

• Tubers
• Pneumatophores
• Contractile roots

Correct Answer: Pneumatophores

Q13. In secondary growth of roots, which cambium produces secondary xylem and phloem?

• Procambium
• Vascular cambium
• Cork cambium (phellogen)
• Apical meristem

Correct Answer: Vascular cambium

Q14. Which structure prevents apoplastic movement of solutes into the vascular cylinder?

• Root hairs
• Casparian strip
• Cortex
• Pericycle

Correct Answer: Casparian strip

Q15. Adventitious roots originate from:

• Radicle only
• Non-root tissues such as stem or leaf
• Root cap
• Primary xylem

Correct Answer: Non-root tissues such as stem or leaf

Q16. Storage roots commonly accumulate which classes of compounds important in pharmacognosy?

• Structural cellulose only
• Secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, glycosides, and tannins
• Atmospheric gases
• Only water and inorganic salts

Correct Answer: Secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, glycosides, and tannins

Q17. Which statement about root hairs is correct?

• They are multicellular structures derived from cortex
• They increase surface area for absorption and are unicellular extensions of epidermal cells
• They conduct photosynthesis
• They become part of the vascular tissue

Correct Answer: They increase surface area for absorption and are unicellular extensions of epidermal cells

Q18. The pericycle is important because it:

• Forms the root cap
• Gives rise to lateral roots and contributes to secondary growth
• Is the outermost layer of root
• Synthesizes chlorophyll

Correct Answer: Gives rise to lateral roots and contributes to secondary growth

Q19. Which root adaptation helps climbing plants attach to supports?

• Pneumatophores
• Adventitious roots
• Storage tubers
• Taproots

Correct Answer: Adventitious roots

Q20. Which pigment or substance is commonly found in periderm (cork) that imparts water resistance?

• Suberin
• Chlorophyll
• Starch
• Cellulose only

Correct Answer: Suberin

Q21. Which of the following describes a taproot system?

• Many roots of equal size from stem base
• A single dominant primary root with lateral branches
• Roots only above ground
• Roots forming after flowering only

Correct Answer: A single dominant primary root with lateral branches

Q22. Which of the following root types stores carbohydrates and is important in medicinal plants?

• Fibrous root
• Storage (tuberous) root
• Adventitious climber
• Aerial root

Correct Answer: Storage (tuberous) root

Q23. Which layer immediately surrounds the vascular tissues in the root?

• Epidermis
• Endodermis
• Pericycle
• Cortex

Correct Answer: Pericycle

Q24. The maturation zone of the root is characterized by:

• Active cell division only
• Presence of root hairs and differentiated vascular tissues
• Root cap sloughing only
• Lack of differentiated cells

Correct Answer: Presence of root hairs and differentiated vascular tissues

Q25. Which term describes roots that obtain nutrients from living host plants?

• Contractile roots
• Haustorial roots (parasitic)
• Pneumatophores
• Storage roots

Correct Answer: Haustorial roots (parasitic)

Q26. In pharmacognosy, which microscopic feature helps identify powdered root drugs?

• Vascular bundle count only
• Anatomical markers such as stone cells, starch grains, secretory canals and xylem patterns
• Color of intact plant only
• Taste alone

Correct Answer: Anatomical markers such as stone cells, starch grains, secretory canals and xylem patterns

Q27. Which hormone most strongly promotes adventitious root formation?

• Auxin
• Cytokinin
• Ethylene

Correct Answer: Auxin

Q28. The stele type in young monocot roots is usually:

• Protostele
• Siphonostele with pith
• Polyarch vascular cylinder with many xylem and phloem strands in a ring
• Collateral bundles scattered

Correct Answer: Polyarch vascular cylinder with many xylem and phloem strands in a ring

Q29. Which anatomical structure helps retain water and protects against pathogens in older roots?

• Root hairs
• Periderm (including cork)
• Endodermis only
• Cortex parenchyma only

Correct Answer: Periderm (including cork)

Q30. Which process describes formation of secondary cortex and cork in roots?

• Primary growth
• Secondary growth via phellogen (cork cambium)
• Apical dominance
• Cell elongation only

Correct Answer: Secondary growth via phellogen (cork cambium)

Q31. Which is true about root vascular cambium activity?

• It produces only phloem
• It produces secondary xylem inward and secondary phloem outward
• It is present only in monocots
• It destroys the pericycle

Correct Answer: It produces secondary xylem inward and secondary phloem outward

Q32. Root nodules in legumes are primarily associated with fixation of which element?

• Carbon
• Nitrogen
• Phosphorus
• Potassium

Correct Answer: Nitrogen

Q33. Which is characteristic of ectomycorrhizae?

• Hyphae penetrate cortical cells forming arbuscules
• Fungal hyphae form a sheath around roots and Hartig net between cells
• They are only found in legumes
• They replace root hairs completely

Correct Answer: Fungal hyphae form a sheath around roots and Hartig net between cells

Q34. Contractile roots function to:

• Increase photosynthetic area
• Pull bulbous organs deeper into the soil
• Store water only
• Absorb nitrogen directly from air

Correct Answer: Pull bulbous organs deeper into the soil

Q35. Which staining feature is useful to highlight suberin in root sections?

• Safranin staining only
• Sudan dyes or fluorochromes for lipids
• Iodine for starch
• Hematoxylin for nucleic acids only

Correct Answer: Sudan dyes or fluorochromes for lipids

Q36. What is the role of the root rhizosphere in medicinal plants?

• Only mechanical support
• Zone of microbial interactions influencing secondary metabolite production and nutrient uptake
• Region devoid of microbes
• Only for water storage

Correct Answer: Zone of microbial interactions influencing secondary metabolite production and nutrient uptake

Q37. Which of the following is NOT a root modification?

• Storage root (e.g., sweet potato)
• Pneumatophore (e.g., mangrove)
• Cladode (stem modification)
• Adventitious prop root

Correct Answer: Cladode (stem modification)

Q38. The presence of xylem vessels with tyloses in root wood indicates:

• Active water uptake only
• Blockage of vessels often associated with aging or secondary defense
• Primary root growth
• Absence of lignin

Correct Answer: Blockage of vessels often associated with aging or secondary defense

Q39. Which technique is commonly used in pharmacognosy to distinguish root powders microscopically?

• Thin-layer chromatography only
• Microscopic identification of diagnostic cells and inclusions combined with staining
• PCR only
• Ultraviolet spectroscopy only

Correct Answer: Microscopic identification of diagnostic cells and inclusions combined with staining

Q40. Which of the following best describes endodermal casparian strips’ function related to selective uptake?

• They actively pump ions through ATPases
• They force solutes to cross endodermal plasma membranes, enabling selective transport
• They store starch granules
• They aid in photosynthesis

Correct Answer: They force solutes to cross endodermal plasma membranes, enabling selective transport

Q41. Secondary metabolites concentrated in roots that have pharmacological activity include:

• Only proteins and nucleic acids
• Alkaloids, glycosides, saponins and essential oils
• Only chlorophyll derivatives
• Inorganic salts only

Correct Answer: Alkaloids, glycosides, saponins and essential oils

Q42. Which anatomical feature helps differentiate a root from a stem in cross section?

• Presence of nodes and internodes in roots
• Presence of a central vascular cylinder without pith and distinct endodermis in roots
• Roots always have leaves attached
• Stems lack vascular tissue

Correct Answer: Presence of a central vascular cylinder without pith and distinct endodermis in roots

Q43. Which statement about monocot root secondary growth is correct?

• Monocots commonly show extensive secondary thickening like dicots
• Most monocots lack typical vascular cambium and show little secondary growth
• Monocots always form bark and cork cambium
• Secondary growth in monocots produces a new epidermis only

Correct Answer: Most monocots lack typical vascular cambium and show little secondary growth

Q44. Lateral roots penetrate outer tissues by degrading which layer to emerge?

• Epidermis and cortex (through the endodermis and cortex) with enzymatic activity
• Only the vascular cambium
• Only the periderm
• Leaf lamina

Correct Answer: Epidermis and cortex (through the endodermis and cortex) with enzymatic activity

Q45. Which root-derived structure is important for vegetative propagation?

• Taproot that never branches
• Adventitious roots on cuttings that form new plants
• Only pneumathophores
• Columella cells

Correct Answer: Adventitious roots on cuttings that form new plants

Q46. Hydrotropism in roots refers to:

• Growth toward light
• Growth toward water gradients
• Growth against gravity only
• Root hair formation

Correct Answer: Growth toward water gradients

Q47. In root anatomy, the cortex mainly functions as:

• Water and nutrient absorption zone containing photosynthetic cells
• Storage region of parenchyma cells and a transport pathway to the stele
• Vascular tissue for long distance conduction
• Root cap replacement

Correct Answer: Storage region of parenchyma cells and a transport pathway to the stele

Q48. Which process in roots is often stimulated by auxin application during plant propagation?

• Stomatal opening
• Root initiation and elongation
• Leaf abscission exclusively
• Seed germination only

Correct Answer: Root initiation and elongation

Q49. In identification of medicinal roots, the presence of sclereids or stone cells indicates:

• High water content only
• Sclerenchymatous support tissue often used as a diagnostic feature and gives gritty texture
• Absence of secondary metabolites
• Aerial origin of the sample

Correct Answer: Sclerenchymatous support tissue often used as a diagnostic feature and gives gritty texture

Q50. Which statement best summarizes the importance of root morphology to B.Pharm students?

• Only useful for horticulture and irrelevant to drug sciences
• Essential for identification, quality control, and understanding storage and biosynthesis of medicinal compounds in roots
• Important only for animal physiology
• Used exclusively to determine plant height

Correct Answer: Essential for identification, quality control, and understanding storage and biosynthesis of medicinal compounds in roots

G S Sachin

I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.

Mail- Sachin@pharmacyfreak.com