Morphology of leaf MCQs With Answer

Morphology of leaf MCQs With Answer is an essential study area for B. Pharm students, especially in pharmacognosy and plant-based drug research. This concise, keyword-rich introduction covers leaf structure, venation, stomata, phyllotaxy, mesophyll types, leaf modifications, and adaptive features that influence medicinal compound distribution. Understanding leaf morphology helps in identification, quality control, and selection of plant materials for pharmaceutical applications. These MCQs focus on practical, exam-oriented concepts like simple vs compound leaves, stomatal types, xeromorphic and hydromorphic adaptations, and anatomical features relevant to drug-bearing plants. Clear explanations and focused practice will boost recall and application. Now let’s test your knowledge with 50 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. Which structure is primarily responsible for the photosynthetic activity in a leaf?

• Palisade mesophyll
• Upper epidermis
• Vascular bundle
• Cuticle

Correct Answer: Palisade mesophyll

Q2. A leaf is considered compound when:

• It has more than one vascular bundle in the midrib
• It bears more than one leaflet and the axillary bud is at the base of the petiole
• The lamina is lobed but axillary buds arise at each lobe
• It has a sessile attachment to the stem

Correct Answer: It bears more than one leaflet and the axillary bud is at the base of the petiole

Q3. Which type of venation is most typical of monocot leaves?

• Reticulate venation
• Pinnate venation
• Parallel venation
• Palminerved venation

Correct Answer: Parallel venation

Q4. Stomata located only on the lower surface of the leaf are described as:

• Epistomatic
• Hypostomatic
• Amphistomatic
• Anisostomatic

Correct Answer: Hypostomatic

Q5. Which stomatal type lacks distinct subsidiary cells around the guard cells?

• Paracytic
• Anomocytic
• Diacytic
• Tetracytic

Correct Answer: Anomocytic

Q6. A leaf with a single undivided blade is termed:

• Compound
• Perfoliate
• Simple
• Clasping

Correct Answer: Simple

Q7. The presence of a pulvinus is most closely associated with which leaf function?

• Transpiration control
• Leaf movement and nyctinasty
• Photosynthesis enhancement
• Water storage

Correct Answer: Leaf movement and nyctinasty

Q8. Which leaf modification is typically seen in cacti as an adaptation to arid conditions?

• Tendrils
• Phyllode
• Spines
• Cladode

Correct Answer: Spines

Q9. In dorsiventral leaves, which tissue is specialized for light capture and is usually rich in chloroplasts?

• Upper epidermis
• Palisade mesophyll
• Spongy mesophyll
• Lower epidermis

Correct Answer: Palisade mesophyll

Q10. Which feature is characteristic of hydrophytic leaves?

• Thick cuticle and sunken stomata
• Numerous air spaces (aerenchyma) and stomata often on upper surface
• Prominent palisade layer and compact mesophyll
• Reduced lamina and extensive sclerenchyma

Correct Answer: Numerous air spaces (aerenchyma) and stomata often on upper surface

Q11. A pinnately compound leaf is characterized by:

• Leaflets arising from a common point like fingers from a palm
• A single midrib with lateral veins branching off
• Leaflets arranged along both sides of a common rachis
• Multiple pinnules forming a bipinnate structure always

Correct Answer: Leaflets arranged along both sides of a common rachis

Q12. Which of the following is NOT a typical xeromorphic adaptation in leaves?

• Thick cuticle
• Sunken stomata
• Large thin lamina with abundant spongy mesophyll
• Succulent tissues for water storage

Correct Answer: Large thin lamina with abundant spongy mesophyll

Q13. The anatomical feature known as Kranz anatomy is associated with which photosynthetic pathway?

• C3 pathway
• C4 pathway
• CAM pathway
• Photorespiration pathway

Correct Answer: C4 pathway

Q14. Stipules are located at which position on a leaf?

• At the leaf apex
• On the surface of the lamina
• At the base of the petiole
• Along the midrib

Correct Answer: At the base of the petiole

Q15. Which leaf margin term describes a margin with rounded teeth?

• Serrate
• Crenate
• Entire
• Lobed

Correct Answer: Crenate

Q16. Identification of a leaflet as part of a compound leaf (not a separate leaf) is determined by:

• Presence of a distinct petiolule and absence of an axillary bud at its base
• Presence of an axillary bud at the base of each leaflet
• Different venation pattern in leaflet compared to leaf
• Leaflet having its own petiole and axillary bud

Correct Answer: Presence of a distinct petiolule and absence of an axillary bud at its base

Q17. Which leaf type has the lamina completely wrapped around the stem or petiole?

• Petiolate
• Clasping (amplexicaul)
• Sessile
• Pinnate

Correct Answer: Clasping (amplexicaul)

Q18. The term ‘sessile leaf’ means:

• The leaf has a well-developed petiole
• The leaf lacks a petiole and is attached directly to the stem
• The leaf is suspended on a long stalk
• The leaf is compound with multiple leaflets

Correct Answer: The leaf lacks a petiole and is attached directly to the stem

Q19. Which epidermal feature reduces water loss and is a common xerophytic adaptation?

• Thin cuticle
• Presence of hydathodes
• Thick, waxy cuticle
• High stomatal density on both surfaces

Correct Answer: Thick, waxy cuticle

Q20. Which venation pattern is described as a central midrib with secondary veins branching laterally in a feather-like manner?

• Palmate venation
• Pinnate venation
• Parallel venation
• Reticulate palmate

Correct Answer: Pinnate venation

Q21. Which leaf surface is commonly more protected by a thicker cuticle in sun-exposed leaves?

• Lower (abaxial) surface
• Both surfaces equally
• Upper (adaxial) surface
• Marginal surface only

Correct Answer: Upper (adaxial) surface

Q22. In which plant would you expect to find epistomatic leaves (stomata mainly on the upper surface)?

• Most terrestrial deciduous trees
• Floating aquatic plants like Nymphaea
• Xerophytes like cacti
• Understory shade plants

Correct Answer: Floating aquatic plants like Nymphaea

Q23. The shortest distance between two consecutive leaves along the stem is called:

• Internode
• Petiole
• Node
• Rachis

Correct Answer: Internode

Q24. A leaf with leaflets arising from a single point at the end of the petiole is called:

• Pinnately compound
• Bipinnate
• Unifoliate
• Palmately compound

Correct Answer: Palmately compound

Q25. Which tissue connects the leaf lamina to the stem and contains vascular bundles entering the leaf?

• Petiole
• Pulvinus
• Rachilla
• Paxillus

Correct Answer: Petiole

Q26. Leaf abscission typically occurs at a specialized region called the:

• Leaf base
• Abscission zone
• Petiole tip
• Midrib junction

Correct Answer: Abscission zone

Q27. Which modification of the leaf performs photosynthesis and resembles a flattened stem?

• Spine
• Phyllode
• Cladode
• Tendril

Correct Answer: Cladode

Q28. The presence of a ligule and a sheath instead of a distinct petiole is typical of which plant group?

• Dicot trees
• Grasses (Poaceae)
• Succulents
• Ferns

Correct Answer: Grasses (Poaceae)

Q29. Which of the following is NOT part of the typical dicot leaf internal anatomy?

• Palisade mesophyll
• Bundle sheath cells forming Kranz anatomy in all dicots
• Spongy mesophyll
• Upper and lower epidermis

Correct Answer: Bundle sheath cells forming Kranz anatomy in all dicots

Q30. Tendrils in pea (Pisum sativum) are modified:

• Roots
• Leaves or leaflets
• Flowers
• Stems only

Correct Answer: Leaves or leaflets

Q31. Which leaf margin shows deep indentations reaching nearly to the midrib or base?

• Entire
• Ciliate
• Lobed
• Serrulate

Correct Answer: Lobed

Q32. The primary function of stomata is to:

• Transport nutrients
• Control gas exchange and transpiration
• Provide mechanical support
• Store water

Correct Answer: Control gas exchange and transpiration

Q33. Which of the following terms describes leaves arranged one per node in an alternating fashion?

• Opposite phyllotaxy
• Alternate phyllotaxy
• Whorled phyllotaxy
• Rosulate phyllotaxy

Correct Answer: Alternate phyllotaxy

Q34. In the context of pharmacognosy, why is leaf morphology important?

• It determines the soil type for cultivation
• It helps in identification and authentication of medicinal plant material
• It always indicates the chemical constituents quantitatively
• It replaces the need for chemical analysis

Correct Answer: It helps in identification and authentication of medicinal plant material

Q35. Anisophylly refers to:

• Leaves having unequal sizes on opposite sides of a stem or branch
• Leaves of equal size only
• Compound leaves with asymmetric leaflets
• Leaves with different colored surfaces

Correct Answer: Leaves having unequal sizes on opposite sides of a stem or branch

Q36. Which of the following is a typical anatomical adaptation in shade leaves compared to sun leaves?

• Thicker cuticle and more palisade layers
• Greater specific leaf area and thinner lamina
• More sclerenchyma and thicker epidermis
• Sunken stomata and reduced surface area

Correct Answer: Greater specific leaf area and thinner lamina

Q37. Which type of stomatal arrangement has subsidiary cells oriented parallel to the stomatal pore?

• Diacytic
• Anomocytic
• Paracytic
• Tetracytic

Correct Answer: Paracytic

Q38. A leaf with a heart-shaped base is described as:

• Obcordate
• Cuneate
• Cordate
• Hastate

Correct Answer: Cordate

Q39. Which process leads to leaf fall in deciduous plants during unfavorable seasons?

• Translocation
• Abscission
• Senescence alone without abscission
• Phototropism

Correct Answer: Abscission

Q40. In compound leaves, the central axis that bears the leaflets is called:

• Petiolule
• Pulvinus
• Rachis
• Stipule

Correct Answer: Rachis

Q41. Which leaf type is specialized for climbing in Passiflora and some legumes?

• Cladode
• Tendril
• Phyllode
• Spine

Correct Answer: Tendril

Q42. The vascular bundle in a leaf that connects leaf veins to the stem is commonly referred to as:

• Leaf trace
• Leaf scar
• Stipule
• Axil

Correct Answer: Leaf trace

Q43. Which of the following describes a revolute leaf margin?

• Margin rolled toward the upper surface (adaxial)
• Margin rolled toward the lower surface (abaxial)
• Margin with small hairs only
• Margin with pronounced serrations

Correct Answer: Margin rolled toward the lower surface (abaxial)

Q44. The term ‘glabrous’ when applied to a leaf surface means:

• Covered with hairs
• Having glandular trichomes
• Smooth and hairless
• Waxy with epicuticular crystals

Correct Answer: Smooth and hairless

Q45. Which type of leaf base wraps around the stem forming a sheath as seen in grasses?

• Cuneate base
• Sheathing base
• Clasping base
• Oblique base

Correct Answer: Sheathing base

Q46. The presence of prominent palisade tissue on both surfaces of a leaf suggests:

• Typical dorsiventral leaf
• Isobilateral leaf adapted to high light conditions
• Hydrophytic adaptation
• Leaf disease or necrosis

Correct Answer: Isobilateral leaf adapted to high light conditions

Q47. Guttation through hydathodes typically occurs when:

• Transpiration is high and soil is dry
• Root pressure forces water out during high soil moisture and low transpiration
• Leaves are heavily sunburned
• Stomata are widely open in drought

Correct Answer: Root pressure forces water out during high soil moisture and low transpiration

Q48. Which leaf feature is most useful for microscopic identification of powdered plant material in pharmacognosy?

• Leaf size only
• Presence and type of trichomes, stomatal type, and calcium oxalate crystals
• Color of fresh leaf only
• Presence of axillary buds

Correct Answer: Presence and type of trichomes, stomatal type, and calcium oxalate crystals

Q49. A decurrent leaf base is one where the leaf blade:

• Is attached by a short petiole only
• Extends downward along the stem forming wings
• Has a sheathing base only at the node
• Is reduced to a stipule

Correct Answer: Extends downward along the stem forming wings

Q50. Which of the following best describes a phyllode?

• A modified petiole or leaf rachis that becomes leaf-like and photosynthetic
• A type of thorn derived from stem tissue only
• A small outgrowth at the leaf margin used for secretion
• A reproductive structure replacing flowers

Correct Answer: A modified petiole or leaf rachis that becomes leaf-like and photosynthetic

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