Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) morphology and histology are essential topics in pharmacognosy for B. Pharm students. This overview covers macroscopic features: habit, finely pinnate leaves, hollow stems, umbel inflorescence, and characteristic fruits (schizocarps/mericarps), and microscopic structures including epidermis, subepidermal collenchyma, cortex, vascular bundles, secretory ducts (vittae), sclerenchyma and endodermis. Understanding transverse sections of stem, root and fruit, powder microscopy markers, localization of key phytochemicals such as anethole and fenchone, and simple histochemical tests aids authentication and quality control. Mastery of these morphological and anatomical details supports pharmacopoeial identification and formulation studies. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. What is the accepted botanical name of fennel?
- Foeniculum vulgare
- Anethum graveolens
- Petroselinum crispum
- Foeniculum officinale
Correct Answer: Foeniculum vulgare
Q2. What is the typical growth habit of Foeniculum vulgare?
- A woody shrub
- A biennial/perennial aromatic herb
- A climbing vine
- A bulbous geophyte
Correct Answer: A biennial/perennial aromatic herb
Q3. Which term best describes fennel leaves?
- Palmate
- Simple broad
- Finely pinnate, feathery
- Sessile and lanceolate
Correct Answer: Finely pinnate, feathery
Q4. What type of inflorescence is characteristic of fennel?
- Spike
- Racemose cyme
- Umbel
- Panicle
Correct Answer: Umbel
Q5. Which term correctly describes the fennel fruit?
- Berry
- Schizocarp of two mericarps (achene-like)
- Drupe
- Capsule
Correct Answer: Schizocarp of two mericarps (achene-like)
Q6. When a fennel schizocarp splits, how many mericarps are formed?
- One
- Two
- Three
- Many
Correct Answer: Two
Q7. Which secretory structures are diagnostic in fennel tissues and fruits?
- Resin ducts only
- Vittae (oil ducts) and secretory canals
- Laticifers exclusively
- Tannin cells only
Correct Answer: Vittae (oil ducts) and secretory canals
Q8. Which major aromatic compound is characteristic of fennel essential oil?
- Eugenol
- Anethole
- Menthol
- Salicylic acid
Correct Answer: Anethole
Q9. Which compound class does fenchone belong to?
- Flavonoid glycoside
- Monoterpene ketone
- Alkaloid
- Polysaccharide
Correct Answer: Monoterpene ketone
Q10. In transverse section (TS) of fennel stem, which gross feature is commonly observed?
- Solid woody pith with scattered vascular bundles
- Hollow stem with vascular bundles arranged in a ring
- Multiple concentric woody rings typical of trees
- Single central vascular cylinder with no cortex
Correct Answer: Hollow stem with vascular bundles arranged in a ring
Q11. What is the typical type of vascular bundle in fennel stem?
- Open collateral with vascular cambium
- Closed collateral without cambium
- Concentric phloem surrounding xylem
- Radial bundles as in roots
Correct Answer: Closed collateral without cambium
Q12. Which cortical tissue is commonly found immediately beneath the epidermis in fennel stem?
- Sclerenchyma only
- Subepidermal collenchyma
- Periderm replacing epidermis
- Huge parenchymatous air cavities
Correct Answer: Subepidermal collenchyma
Q13. In fennel root histology, which feature is diagnostic of the endodermis?
- Presence of Casparian strips
- Multiple layers of epidermis
- Secretory vittae in the pericycle
- Chloroplast-rich cells in the inner cortex
Correct Answer: Presence of Casparian strips
Q14. Where are vittae (oil ducts) typically located in fennel mericarps?
- In the pericarp (fruit wall) and along the vittae lines/ridges
- Only in the seed coat (testa)
- Exclusively in the leaf mesophyll
- In the root xylem vessels
Correct Answer: In the pericarp (fruit wall) and along the vittae lines/ridges
Q15. Which microscopic particles are commonly seen in fennel powder and indicate mechanical strength?
- Calcium oxalate crystals and sclereids (stone cells)
- Large multicellular glandular hairs only
- Tracheids without lignin
- Amorphous polysaccharide masses only
Correct Answer: Calcium oxalate crystals and sclereids (stone cells)
Q16. Which histochemical stain is commonly used to demonstrate lignified sclerenchyma in fennel sections?
- Phloroglucinol-HCl (gives red coloration)
- Sudan III (for carbohydrates)
- Iodine-potassium iodide (for lipids)
- Fast green (for proteins)
Correct Answer: Phloroglucinol-HCl (gives red coloration)
Q17. In seed/fruit histology of fennel, where are storage oils and fatty constituents mainly localized?
- Endosperm and oil-rich parenchyma of the fruit
- Only in the periderm of root
- In xylem vessels as deposits
- In cutin of the epidermis exclusively
Correct Answer: Endosperm and oil-rich parenchyma of the fruit
Q18. Which microscopic cell type lines the secretory ducts (vittae) in fennel?
- Sclerenchymatous fibers only
- Secretory epithelial cells
- Chlorenchyma cells with dense chloroplasts
- Endosperm cells with protein bodies
Correct Answer: Secretory epithelial cells
Q19. Which simple powder test stain is useful to visualize lipid-containing oil ducts in fennel powder?
- Sudan III or Sudan IV
- Phloroglucinol-HCl
- Fehling’s solution
- Potassium permanganate
Correct Answer: Sudan III or Sudan IV
Q20. Which anatomical feature in fennel stem or fruit contributes most to its persistent aromatic odor in powdered drug?
- Abundant vittae (oil ducts) releasing essential oil
- High content of lignified xylem vessels
- Numerous epidermal stomata
- Large silica bodies
Correct Answer: Abundant vittae (oil ducts) releasing essential oil
Q21. Which of these is a reliable diagnostic microscopic character for authenticating fennel fruit powder?
- Presence of abundant secretory oil ducts, sclereids, and curved ribs
- Absence of any crystalline inclusions
- Uniform thin-walled cells only
- Only trichome bases without oil ducts
Correct Answer: Presence of abundant secretory oil ducts, sclereids, and curved ribs
Q22. The fruit ridges of fennel commonly show which specialized cells or structures?
- Vittae and lignified sclerenchyma beneath the ridges
- Chlorenchyma with dense chloroplasts
- Stomatal crypts filled with mucilage
- Root-like hairs for absorption
Correct Answer: Vittae and lignified sclerenchyma beneath the ridges
Q23. Which embryo type is found in fennel seeds?
- Monocot embryo with single cotyledon
- Dicot embryo with two cotyledons
- Endosperm-only seed without embryo
- Polyembryonic cluster of embryos
Correct Answer: Dicot embryo with two cotyledons
Q24. Which structural layer forms the outermost layer of the fruit (pericarp) in botanical terms?
- Endocarp
- Mesocarp
- Exocarp (epicarp)
- Placenta
Correct Answer: Exocarp (epicarp)
Q25. Which cellular deposit is commonly observed in fennel tissues and can be detected microscopically?
- Amorphous silica bodies only
- Calcium oxalate crystals
- Keratinous scales
- Cuticular wax crystals exclusively
Correct Answer: Calcium oxalate crystals
Q26. For pharmacognostic authentication, which combined features best confirm fennel material?
- Umbel inflorescence, pinnate leaves, schizocarp fruit with vittae
- Opposite leaves, berry-like fruits, latex exudation
- Compound cones, needle leaves, resin canals only
- Single-seeded drupe, fleshy mesocarp
Correct Answer: Umbel inflorescence, pinnate leaves, schizocarp fruit with vittae
Q27. Which cell wall polymer is primarily responsible for thickening in sclerenchyma/sclereids of fennel?
- Cellulose without lignin
- Lignin deposited in secondary walls
- Cutin in the middle lamella
- Suberin in chlorenchyma
Correct Answer: Lignin deposited in secondary walls
Q28. In transverse section of fennel mericarp, which three general pericarp layers are expected?
- Epicarp (exocarp), mesocarp, endocarp
- Phloem, xylem, cambium
- Epidermis, hypodermis, pericycle
- Testa, tegmen, nucellus only
Correct Answer: Epicarp (exocarp), mesocarp, endocarp
Q29. Which microscopic observation would indicate adulteration or substitution of fennel fruits?
- Absence of vittae and presence of non-Apiaceae seed structures
- Presence of abundant vittae and mericarp ridges
- Typical umbel peduncle remains intact
- Characteristic anethole odor on powdered sample
Correct Answer: Absence of vittae and presence of non-Apiaceae seed structures
Q30. Why is knowledge of fennel morphology and histology important in B. Pharm practice?
- For authentication, quality control, pharmacopoeial tests and correct herbal formulation
- Only to grow the plant in gardens
- Only to determine therapeutic dose without identification
- Only for aesthetic botanical illustrations
Correct Answer: For authentication, quality control, pharmacopoeial tests and correct herbal formulation
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.
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