Morphology of fruit MCQs With Answer

Introduction: Morphology of fruit MCQs With Answer is a focused study aid for B. Pharm students preparing for pharmacognosy and plant-based drug identification exams. This concise, Student-friendly post covers fruit anatomy, pericarp layers, types (fleshy vs dry), examples like drupes, berries, pomes, and pharmaceutically relevant fruit structures used in drug sourcing and authentication. Emphasis on seed morphology, placentation, dehiscence, accessory fruits, and diagnostic macroscopic characters will boost recall and practical identification skills. Ideal for revision, practicals, and competitive tests, these questions integrate botanical detail with pharmaceutical relevance. Now let’s test your knowledge with 50 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. Which layer of the pericarp is typically the fleshy edible part in a drupe?

• Exocarp
• Mesocarp
• Endocarp
• Epicarp

Correct Answer: Mesocarp

Q2. A berry that has a leathery, oil-rich rind typical of citrus fruits is called a:

• Pepo
• Hesperidium
• Pome
• Drupe

Correct Answer: Hesperidium

Q3. Which fruit type is characterized by an accessory hypanthium forming the edible portion, as in apple?

• Pepo
• Pome
• Berry
• Capsule

Correct Answer: Pome

Q4. Which of the following is an indehiscent one-seeded dry fruit with the pericarp tightly fused to the seed coat (typical of cereals)?

• Achene
• Caryopsis
• Nut
• Samara

Correct Answer: Caryopsis

Q5. The fruit of the family Apiaceae that splits into two mericarps is known as a:

• Legume
• Schizocarp
• Follicle
• Capsule

Correct Answer: Schizocarp

Q6. Which fruit opens by two sutures to release seeds and is typical of Fabaceae?

• Follicle
• Legume
• Capsule
• Nut

Correct Answer: Legume

Q7. In pharmacognosy, macroscopic fruit characters used for identification include:

• Only chemical composition
• Size, shape, surface texture, color, and odor
• Microscopic cell types only
• Genetic sequence data

Correct Answer: Size, shape, surface texture, color, and odor

Q8. A multiple fruit formed from an inflorescence, such as pineapple, is called a:

• Aggregate fruit
• Accessory fruit
• Multiple fruit
• Simple fruit

Correct Answer: Multiple fruit

Q9. Which fruit is described as a fleshy fruit with a single seed enclosed by a hard, stony endocarp?

• Berry
• Drupe
• Pome
• Capsule

Correct Answer: Drupe

Q10. The characteristic fruit of Solanaceae like tomato with several seeds embedded in gelatinous tissue is classified as a:

• Berry
• Hesperidium
• Pepoid
• Pod

Correct Answer: Berry

Q11. Which dehiscence type describes a fruit that splits along one seam, typical of Magnoliaceae?

• Legume
• Capsule
• Follicle
• Schizocarp

Correct Answer: Follicle

Q12. A small, dry, one-seeded indehiscent fruit where the seed is attached to the pericarp at a single point, e.g., sunflower seed, is called a:

• Achene
• Nut
• Caryopsis
• Utricle

Correct Answer: Achene

Q13. Which pericarp layer often becomes lignified to form the “stone” or pit in drupes?

• Exocarp
• Mesocarp
• Endocarp
• Hypocarp

Correct Answer: Endocarp

Q14. In which placentation type are ovules attached to a central column in a unilocular ovary?

• Parietal
• Axile
• Free-central
• Basal

Correct Answer: Free-central

Q15. Which of the following fruits is an example of an aggregate fruit composed of many small drupelets?

• Strawberry
• Raspberry
• Pineapple
• Apple

Correct Answer: Raspberry

Q16. The fruity structure that includes an aril as a fleshy outgrowth covering the seed is exemplified by:

• Nutmeg (mace and seed)
• Wheat (bran and endosperm)
• Apple (core)
• Cucumber (peel)

Correct Answer: Nutmeg (mace and seed)

Q17. Which fruit type is typical of Cucurbitaceae and has a hard rind called a pepo?

• Pome
• Pepo
• Hesperidium
• Achene

Correct Answer: Pepo

Q18. A samara is best described as:

• A fleshy berry
• A winged achene aiding wind dispersal
• A multiple fruit of many flowers
• A capsule that explodes

Correct Answer: A winged achene aiding wind dispersal

Q19. Which fruit displays parietal placentation with ovules attached to the inner ovary wall?

• Mustard (Brassicaceae)
• Tomato (Solanaceae)
• Pea (Fabaceae)
• Apple (Rosaceae)

Correct Answer: Mustard (Brassicaceae)

Q20. In pharmacognostic authentication, which fruit parameter is LEAST useful macroscopically?

• Odor
• Cellular ultrastructure
• Surface texture
• Color

Correct Answer: Cellular ultrastructure

Q21. Which of the following is an indehiscent fruit with a very hard pericarp and usually one seed, e.g., acorn?

• Nut
• Achene
• Caryopsis
• Legume

Correct Answer: Nut

Q22. The term “accessory fruit” refers to a fruit in which:

• The ovary alone forms the entire edible tissue
• Non-ovarian tissues contribute to the edible portion
• It always splits at maturity
• It contains no seeds

Correct Answer: Non-ovarian tissues contribute to the edible portion

Q23. Which fruit type is characteristic of Annonaceae and consists of many united carpels forming a single large seed mass?

• Aggregate fruit
• Syncarpous capsule
• Multiple fruit
• Aggregate of follicles

Correct Answer: Aggregate fruit

Q24. A drupe with a fibrous mesocarp and a hard endocarp containing a single seed is exemplified by:

• Coconut
• Tomato
• Apple
• Sunflower

Correct Answer: Coconut

Q25. Which fruit type arises from a single ovary with many locules and dehisces by pores or valves, as in poppy?

• Capsule
• Samara
• Achene
• Berry

Correct Answer: Capsule

Q26. In an indehiscent fruit where the pericarp is loose around the seed and bladder-like, the fruit is termed a:

• Utricle
• Nut
• Samara
• Legume

Correct Answer: Utricle

Q27. Which of the following fruits is commonly used as a source of essential oils and is a hesperidium?

• Orange (Citrus)
• Pumpkin (Cucurbita)
• Apple (Malus)
• Bean (Phaseolus)

Correct Answer: Orange (Citrus)

Q28. The botanical term describing the number of carpels fused in a gynoecium is:

• Placentation
• Locule count
• Syncarpy or apocarpy
• Pericarpiation

Correct Answer: Syncarpy or apocarpy

Q29. Which seed/fruit structure often contains nutritive tissue for the developing embryo and is important in pharmacognosy?

• Endocarp
• Endosperm
• Epicarp
• Funiculus

Correct Answer: Endosperm

Q30. Which of the following fruits results from a single flower with several separate carpels that remain distinct at maturity?

• Aggregate fruit
• Multiple fruit
• Simple indehiscent fruit
• Accessory fruit

Correct Answer: Aggregate fruit

Q31. Edible arils and fleshy seed coverings are important in pharmacognosy because they:

• Have no chemical constituents
• Can contain bioactive compounds and aid identification
• Are always toxic
• Are not considered during authentication

Correct Answer: Can contain bioactive compounds and aid identification

Q32. The hardened, protective tissue formed beneath the epidermis of some fruits (e.g., nut shells) is primarily due to:

• Lignification of pericarp cells
• Increased sugar accumulation
• Waterlogging
• Loss of seed

Correct Answer: Lignification of pericarp cells

Q33. Which fruit type is characterized by many seeds embedded in a juicy mesocarp, often with axile placentation (e.g., pomegranate)?

• Pepo
• Aggregate of achenes
• Berry
• Granatum-type (multiple arils on axile placentation)

Correct Answer: Granatum-type (multiple arils on axile placentation)

Q34. Which fruit is commonly used in drug standardization due to distinct macro- and microscopic traits of its seed, e.g., coriander?

• Coriander fruit (schizocarp mericarps)
• Apple
• Banana
• Tomato

Correct Answer: Coriander fruit (schizocarp mericarps)

Q35. Which of the following best describes dehiscent fruits?

• Fruits that do not open at maturity
• Fruits that split open to release seeds at maturity
• Always fleshy fruits
• All are indehiscent

Correct Answer: Fruits that split open to release seeds at maturity

Q36. The pericarp layer forming the outer skin of fruits such as apple or mango is the:

• Endocarp
• Mesocarp
• Exocarp
• Endosperm

Correct Answer: Exocarp

Q37. Which fruit type is represented by the sunflower “seed” (actually a fruit with the seed inside)?

• Berry
• Achene
• Pepo
• Nut

Correct Answer: Achene

Q38. A capsule that opens by pores at the apex, commonly seen in Papaver (poppy), is an example of:

• Poricidal dehiscence
• Longitudinal dehiscence
• Transverse dehiscence
• Indehiscence

Correct Answer: Poricidal dehiscence

Q39. Which fruit category would cumin and fennel fruits belong to, important in pharmacopeial monographs?

• Schizocarps splitting into mericarps
• Pomes
• Hesperidia
• Caryopses

Correct Answer: Schizocarps splitting into mericarps

Q40. The term “locule” in fruit anatomy refers to:

• Number of seeds only
• Chamber or cavity within the ovary or fruit
• Type of pericarp cell
• Surface texture

Correct Answer: Chamber or cavity within the ovary or fruit

Q41. Which of the following fruits is an important source of fixed oil and is a drupe (seed used pharmaceutically)?

• Olive
• Tomato
• Apple
• Cucumber

Correct Answer: Olive

Q42. In a pome, the core containing seeds is derived from the:

• Perianth
• Ovary only
• Hypanthium or floral tube (accessory tissue)
• Seed coat

Correct Answer: Hypanthium or floral tube (accessory tissue)

Q43. Which of the following is a diagnostic macroscopic feature of cardinal importance for dried fruit drugs (e.g., coriander, fennel)?

• Internal chromosome count
• Characteristic shape, ridges, oil canals, and aroma
• Only moisture content
• Root length

Correct Answer: Characteristic shape, ridges, oil canals, and aroma

Q44. The botanical fruit of coconut is notable because it is a drupe with:

• A dry mesocarp and a leathery exocarp only
• A fibrous mesocarp and a hard, stony endocarp enclosing the seed
• No seed present
• Multiple small seeds

Correct Answer: A fibrous mesocarp and a hard, stony endocarp enclosing the seed

Q45. Which fruit type is useful in wind dispersal due to its winged structure and is exemplified by the maple?

• Nut
• Samara
• Berry
• Achene without wings

Correct Answer: Samara

Q46. In pharmacognosy practicals, measurement of fruit dimensions and seed count aids in:

• Identifying and standardizing herbal raw material
• Calculating drug dosage directly
• Replacing chemical assays entirely
• Microbial quality assessment

Correct Answer: Identifying and standardizing herbal raw material

Q47. Which fruit demonstrates axile placentation with many seeds attached to the central axis, as seen in tomato?

• Tomato
• Mustard
• Pea
• Strawberry

Correct Answer: Tomato

Q48. Which of the following describes a schizocarpic fruit that splits into single-seeded mericarps, each acting as a dispersal unit?

• Raspberry
• Fennel fruit splitting into mericarps
• Orange hesperidium
• Pineapple fruitlet

Correct Answer: Fennel fruit splitting into mericarps

Q49. Which fruit type is typical of grasses and is economically important as cereals?

• Caryopsis
• Achenes
• Hesperidium
• Multiple fruits

Correct Answer: Caryopsis

Q50. When identifying powdered fruit drugs microscopically and macroscopically, which structural element is commonly sought as a diagnostic feature?

• Presence of specific oil cells, stone cells, epidermal hairs, and seed coat fragments
• Only the odor when heated
• Color change with universal indicator
• Amount of starch only

Correct Answer: Presence of specific oil cells, stone cells, epidermal hairs, and seed coat fragments

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