Morphology of seed MCQs With Answer

Morphology of seed MCQs With Answer is a concise, student-focused guide for B. Pharm learners studying seed structure, anatomy, and pharmacognostic relevance. This introduction highlights key terms—seed coat, testa, tegmen, micropyle, hilum, endosperm, cotyledon, aleurone, embryo orientation and dormancy—useful for exam prep and practical identification. Emphasis on seed microscopic characters, storage tissues, and diagnostic features helps pharmacognosy students recognize seeds used as drugs, detect adulteration, and understand germination physiology. The content is optimized for search and learning clarity, reinforcing both theory and application. Now let’s test your knowledge with 50 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. Which three main components constitute a mature seed?

• Embryo, endosperm, seed coat
• Embryo, pericarp, stigma
• Cotyledon, peduncle, ovary
• Testa, tegumen, placenta

Correct Answer: Embryo, endosperm, seed coat

Q2. The seed coat is primarily derived from which ovular structures?

• Integuments
• Nucellus
• Funiculus
• Pericarp

Correct Answer: Integuments

Q3. The outer and inner layers of the seed coat are commonly called:

• Testa and tegmen
• Epicotyl and hypocotyl
• Endosperm and perisperm
• Scutellum and coleoptile

Correct Answer: Testa and tegmen

Q4. The micropyle of a seed primarily functions as:

• Entry point for the pollen tube during fertilization
• Attachment site of the seed to the plant
• Storage tissue for oils
• Protective lignified layer

Correct Answer: Entry point for the pollen tube during fertilization

Q5. The hilum on a seed is best described as:

• The scar from funicular attachment
• The opening for pollen entry
• A specialised storage cell
• A thin seed membrane

Correct Answer: The scar from funicular attachment

Q6. Which are the recognized types of endosperm development?

• Nuclear, cellular, and helobial
• Sclerenchymatous, parenchymatous, and collenchymatous
• Albuminous, exalbuminous and perispermic
• Anatropous, orthotropous, and campylotropous

Correct Answer: Nuclear, cellular, and helobial

Q7. An albuminous seed is characterized by:

• Presence of persistent endosperm at maturity
• Absence of cotyledons
• Non-viable embryo
• Completely lignified testa

Correct Answer: Presence of persistent endosperm at maturity

Q8. The primary diagnostic difference between monocot and dicot seeds is:

• Number of cotyledons
• Color of the seed coat
• Presence of micropyle
• Size of the hilum

Correct Answer: Number of cotyledons

Q9. The aleurone layer in cereal seeds is important because it:

• Produces hydrolytic enzymes such as α-amylase during germination
• Forms the outermost protective lignified layer of testa
• Is the attachment scar of the seed
• Becomes the radicle during germination

Correct Answer: Produces hydrolytic enzymes such as α-amylase during germination

Q10. Perisperm is nutritive tissue in some seeds derived from:

• The nucellus
• The integuments
• The funiculus
• The pericarp

Correct Answer: The nucellus

Q11. Scutellum is a specialized structure found in the embryo of which plant group?

• Grasses (Poaceae)
• Legumes (Fabaceae)
• Conifers
• Asteraceae

Correct Answer: Grasses (Poaceae)

Q12. Which term describes a seed with a straight embryo axis?

• Orthotropous
• Anatropous
• Campylotropous
• Heliotropous

Correct Answer: Orthotropous

Q13. The cotyledons primarily function to:

• Store and/or absorb nutrients for the embryo
• Attach the seed to the ovary wall
• Seal the micropyle permanently
• Differentiate into aleurone tissue

Correct Answer: Store and/or absorb nutrients for the embryo

Q14. A seed that is exalbuminous typically shows which feature at maturity?

• Endosperm consumed and a large cotyledonous embryo
• Persistent large endosperm surrounding a small embryo
• Lack of testa and tegmen
• Multiple embryos within one seed coat

Correct Answer: Endosperm consumed and a large cotyledonous embryo

Q15. The chalaza of an ovule/seed is located:

• Opposite the micropyle where integument and nucellus meet
• At the point of funicular attachment
• At the apex of the radicle
• Within the aleurone layer

Correct Answer: Opposite the micropyle where integument and nucellus meet

Q16. Raphe on a seed surface indicates:

• The ridge formed by the funiculus and seed body fusion
• A site of enzyme secretion during germination
• A modified aleurone cell cluster
• The vascular bundle inside the endosperm

Correct Answer: The ridge formed by the funiculus and seed body fusion

Q17. Anatropous ovules are characterized by:

• An inverted position where micropyle faces the funiculus
• A straight embryo axis
• The absence of integuments
• Multiple chalazal micropyles

Correct Answer: An inverted position where micropyle faces the funiculus

Q18. Which statement about the tegmen in seed anatomy is correct?

• It is the inner integument-derived layer, usually thin and delicate
• It is the outer, heavily lignified protective layer
• It stores oils and proteins like the endosperm
• It becomes the primary root after germination

Correct Answer: It is the inner integument-derived layer, usually thin and delicate

Q19. Which histological feature of the testa is commonly used in pharmacognostic identification?

• Testa sculpture and palisade (macrosclereid) layer
• Color of embryo axis
• Number of cotyledons visible externally
• Diameter of the micropyle canal alone

Correct Answer: Testa sculpture and palisade (macrosclereid) layer

Q20. Seed dormancy caused by impermeable testa to water is classified as:

• Physical dormancy
• Physiological dormancy
• Morphological dormancy
• Combination dormancy

Correct Answer: Physical dormancy

Q21. The tetrazolium (TZ) test in seeds indicates viability by staining:

• Living tissues red due to dehydrogenase activity
• Cell walls blue due to cellulose content
• Endosperm brown due to tannins
• Oil bodies orange due to Sudan staining

Correct Answer: Living tissues red due to dehydrogenase activity

Q22. Which seed structure often contains oil bodies in oily seeds like castor and flax?

• Cotyledons and endosperm cells
• Testa epidermis only
• Funiculus tissue
• Micropyle lining exclusively

Correct Answer: Cotyledons and endosperm cells

Q23. Tannins and pigments responsible for seed coat color are primarily located in which tissue?

• Outer layers of testa
• Embryo axis
• Scutellum
• Aleurone only

Correct Answer: Outer layers of testa

Q24. Sclereids present in many seed coats contribute mainly to:

• Hardness and mechanical protection
• Rapid water absorption
• Enzyme secretion during germination
• Photosynthesis in the seed

Correct Answer: Hardness and mechanical protection

Q25. Which term describes seeds where the embryo is curved around a large endosperm?

• Curved (or folded) embryo
• Orthotropic embryo
• Apical embryo
• Scutellar embryo

Correct Answer: Curved (or folded) embryo

Q26. Epigeal germination is characterized by:

• Cotyledons emerging above soil level
• Cotyledons remaining below ground
• Absence of radicle protrusion
• Immediate senescence of the cotyledons

Correct Answer: Cotyledons emerging above soil level

Q27. The scutellum in grass seeds is homologous to which structure in dicots?

• Single cotyledon
• Testa layer
• Pericarp
• Micropyle

Correct Answer: Single cotyledon

Q28. Which seed type stores most nutrients in the endosperm at maturity?

• Albuminous seeds (endospermic)
• Exalbuminous seeds
• Viviparous seeds
• Non-orthotropic seeds

Correct Answer: Albuminous seeds (endospermic)

Q29. The presence of mucilage around seeds (e.g., Plantago) functions primarily to:

• Aid water retention and adherence to substrate
• Protect the embryo from light
• Store proteins for germination
• Serve as aleurone replacement

Correct Answer: Aid water retention and adherence to substrate

Q30. Which staining reagent is commonly used to detect lipids in seed sections?

• Sudan III or Sudan IV
• Toluidine blue
• Safranin alone
• Fast green

Correct Answer: Sudan III or Sudan IV

Q31. Seeds used in pharmacognosy are authenticated by which morphological features?

• Size, shape, testa sculpture, hilum, and embryo characters
• Only chemical fingerprinting without morphology
• Flower color of the parent plant
• Soil type they were grown in

Correct Answer: Size, shape, testa sculpture, hilum, and embryo characters

Q32. The aleurone layer is typically rich in which macromolecule?

• Proteins
• Cellulose only
• Lignin exclusively
• Starch crystals only

Correct Answer: Proteins

Q33. Which of the following is an example of an endospermic (albuminous) seed?

• Maize (corn)
• Bean (Phaseolus)
• Pea (Pisum)
• Broad bean

Correct Answer: Maize (corn)

Q34. The pericarp differs from the seed coat in that the pericarp is derived from:

• The ovary wall
• The integuments
• The nucellus
• The embryo

Correct Answer: The ovary wall

Q35. A helobial type of endosperm development is characteristic of which plant family group?

• Most monocots and some dicots, notably in some families like Lythraceae (general pattern)
• Only gymnosperms
• Only algae
• All fungi

Correct Answer: Most monocots and some dicots, notably in some families like Lythraceae (general pattern)

Q36. Which seed coat layer often contains macrosclereids (palisade cells) visible under microscopy?

• Testa outer layer
• Tegmen inner layer
• Endosperm
• Perisperm

Correct Answer: Testa outer layer

Q37. In pharmacognostic microscopical examination, testa sculptures help to:

• Differentiate species and detect adulteration
• Increase seed germination speed
• Indicate soil pH where seed developed
• Determine embryonic root length

Correct Answer: Differentiate species and detect adulteration

Q38. Which process during germination is directly promoted by gibberellins produced by the embryo?

• Stimulation of aleurone to secrete α-amylase
• Lignification of testa
• Hardening of macrosclereids
• Formation of pericarp

Correct Answer: Stimulation of aleurone to secrete α-amylase

Q39. The raphe and hilum are important external markers for:

• Seed identification and orientation
• Quantifying oil content
• Measuring endosperm enzymatic activity
• Predicting germination time precisely

Correct Answer: Seed identification and orientation

Q40. Osteosclereids in some seeds contribute to which specific property?

• Stone-like hardness and brittleness of the seed coat
• High permeability to water
• Enhanced enzyme secretion
• Increased embryo growth rate

Correct Answer: Stone-like hardness and brittleness of the seed coat

Q41. The embryo proper includes which of the following parts?

• Radicle, hypocotyl, plumule and cotyledons
• Pericarp, funiculus and chalaza
• Testa, tegmen and raphe
• Seed coat, aleurone and endosperm

Correct Answer: Radicle, hypocotyl, plumule and cotyledons

Q42. Which germination type keeps cotyledons below the soil surface?

• Hypogeal germination
• Epigeal germination
• Vivipary
• Viviparous epigeal

Correct Answer: Hypogeal germination

Q43. Seed coat permeability tests and scarification are practical methods to overcome which barrier?

• Physical dormancy
• Physiological dormancy
• Morphological dormancy
• Pathogen-induced dormancy

Correct Answer: Physical dormancy

Q44. Which storage proteins are commonly found in seed storage tissues?

• Globulins and albumins
• Keratin and collagen
• Chitin and cellulose
• Lignin and suberin

Correct Answer: Globulins and albumins

Q45. Arils or fleshy seed coverings assist in dispersal primarily by:

• Attracting animals for ingestion and dispersal
• Facilitating wind dispersal only
• Embedding seeds into rock surfaces
• Producing toxic compounds to repel predators

Correct Answer: Attracting animals for ingestion and dispersal

Q46. Which morphological trait is a key identifier for seeds of Ricinus communis (castor)?

• Distinct mottled testa with caruncle and large persistent endosperm
• Small winged pericarp and absent cotyledons
• Transparent testa and no micropyle
• Multiple embryos per seed

Correct Answer: Distinct mottled testa with caruncle and large persistent endosperm

Q47. The primary role of the aleurone layer during early germination is to:

• Secrete enzymes that mobilize endosperm reserves
• Provide mechanical support to the radicle
• Become the primary root tissue
• Form the outermost seed coat

Correct Answer: Secrete enzymes that mobilize endosperm reserves

Q48. A perisperm-containing seed differs from typical endospermic seeds because the perisperm originates from:

• Maternal nucellar tissue rather than the fertilized central cell
• Embryonic cotyledons
• The funiculus vascular bundle
• Modified aleurone layers

Correct Answer: Maternal nucellar tissue rather than the fertilized central cell

Q49. Which microscopic feature is most useful to distinguish closely related seed species in pharmacognosy?

• Testa surface sculpture and cellular layering
• Seed weight alone
• Only the color of the seed under sunlight
• Length of the funiculus only

Correct Answer: Testa surface sculpture and cellular layering

Q50. Why is detailed knowledge of seed morphology important for B. Pharm students in pharmacognosy?

• It enables authentic identification, quality control, and detection of adulteration of seed drugs
• It replaces the need for chemical analysis entirely
• It primarily helps in predicting market price
• It is only of botanical interest with no pharmaceutical relevance

Correct Answer: It enables authentic identification, quality control, and detection of adulteration of seed drugs

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.

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