Deck 16: Reproduction, Growth and Development of Flowering Plants

Question 1

Sexual reproduction in flowering plants

A) occurs without fertilisation.
B) involves only one parent.
C) generates genetic variation within populations.
D) produces offspring genetically identical to the parents.

Answer 1

generates genetic variation within populations.

Question 2

The life cycles of typical plants differ from the life cycles of typical animals because

A) both haploid and diploid phases of plants have multicellular stages.
B) plant cells do not undergo mitosis.
C) only animal life cycles show alternation between haploid and diploid phases.
D) meiosis follows directly after fertilisation in animals.
E) fertilisation follows directly after meiosis in plants.

Answer 2

both haploid and diploid phases of plants have multicellular stages.

Question 3

Which of the following is the correct sequence in the life cycle of a flowering plant?

A) Sporophyte, meiosis, gametes, gametophyte, spores, fertilisation, zygote.
B) Sporophyte, spores, meiosis, gametophyte, gametes, zygote, mitosis.
C) Gametophyte, meiosis, fertilisation, sporophyte, mitosis, spores.
D) Gametophyte, mitosis, gametes, zygote, sporophyte, meiosis, spores.
E) Gametophyte, meiosis, gametes, fertilisation, zygote, sporophyte, spores.

Answer 3

Gametophyte, mitosis, gametes, zygote, sporophyte, meiosis, spores.

Question 4

In the life cycle of a flowering plant, meiosis occurs in cells within the

A) sporophyte to produce spores.
B) gametophyte to produce gametes.
C) sporophyte to produce gametes.
D) gametophyte to produce spores.
E) zygote to produce gametes.

Question 5

Flowers are composed of four whorls of transformed 'floral leaves' around the tip of the flower stalk. The female reproductive organs are found in the

A) outermost whorl (whorl 1).
B) innermost whorl (whorl 4).
C) next innermost whorl (whorl 3).
D) second outermost whorl (whorl 2).
E) They are not on the whorls, but in the receptacle at the base of the flower.

Question 6

In the anthers of flowering plants

A) microsporocytes divide by meiosis to form microspores.
B) microgametophytes divide by meiosis to form gametes.
C) microsporocytes divide by mitosis to form microgametophytes.
D) microspores divide by mitosis to form gametes.
E) microsporosites divide by mitosis to form gametes.

Question 7

In most species of flowering plants, the generative nucleus divides to form sperm nuclei

A) as the pollen grain matures within the anther.
B) as the pollen grain germinates on the stigma.
C) after meiosis in the microsporocytes.
D) within the tip of the growing pollen tube.
E) in one degenerated synergid cell of the embryo immediately prior to fertilisation.

Question 8

Leading up to successful fertilisation, the growth of the pollen tube is controlled by

A) the nucleus of the vegetative cell.
B) signal molecules from the style.
C) the carbohydrate reserved of the vegetative cell.
D) the nucleus of the generative cell.
E) conditions on the stigma.

Question 9

People sensitive to grass pollen may experience the symptoms of asthma in response to allergens on

A) pollen grains blown into the nasal passages.
B) pollen grains inhaled into the bronchi.
C) starch granules from burst pollen grains, inhaled into the bronchi.
D) pollen grains entering the respiratory system.
E) starch granules from burst pollen grains, blown into the nasal passages.

Question 10

In the female reproductive structures of flowering plants, which of the following structures is contained within all the others?

A) Ovary
B) Gametophyte
C) Carpel
D) Stigma
E) Ovule

Question 11

In the reproductive pathway leading to the formation of the seed, which of the following is last to form?

A) Synergid cell
B) Endosperm
C) Embryo sac
D) Micropyle
E) Pollen tube

Question 12

In typical flowering plants, the female gametophyte

A) undergoes meiosis to form the megaspore.
B) forms after mitotic divisions of the megaspore.
C) has both diploid and triploid cells.
D) forms after meiotic divisions of the megasporocyte.
E) undergoes meiosis to form the embryo sac.

Question 13

In the embryo sac of flowering plants, the egg

A) is at the micropylar end of the embryo sac flanked by two synergid cells.
B) sits in the middle of the embryo sac within the central cells.
C) has no fixed position relative to the other cells within the embryo sac.
D) is separated from the other cells, at the non-micropylar end of the embryo sac.

Question 14

Apomixis is a form of asexual reproduction that

A) has only been observed in flowers in which sexual reproduction is not occurring.
B) occurs when an unfertilised egg divides to form a diploid embryo sac.
C) occurs when cells in the ovule divide mitotically to produce a diploid embryo.
D) is a means to increase genetic variation in plants.
E) provides a mechanism for dormancy in unfavourable conditions.

Question 15

The flowers of Acacia retinodes are grouped in heads of about twenty flowers. When each flower bud opens the pistil protrudes above the unopened anthers, but within about 24 hours the style and stigma have dried out and the anthers have opened. Flower development within a single flower head is not usually synchronised. Acacia retinodes plants are

A) monoecious.
B) dioecious.
C) protandrous.
D) bisexual.
E) protogynous.

Question 16

Flowers of a particular plant species were found to contain both stamens and a pistil. It was also noted that when the pistil was receptive, the anthers were spent. The flowers of this species are

A) bisexual and protogynous.
B) bisexual and protandrous.
C) dioecious and protogynous.
D) dioecious and protandrous.
E) monoecious and protandrous.

Question 17

In flowering plants that are self-incompatible, a genetically controlled self-incompatible mechanism

A) determines pollen carrying the same S allele as the pistil it lands on as incompatible.
B) determines pollen carrying a different S allele from the pistil it lands on as incompatible.
C) stops eggs from being fertilised by the same species pollen from a genetically different plant.
D) prevents the formation of hybrid offspring from closely related species of plants.
E) ensures that eggs undergo apomixis after fertilisation.

Question 18

A pistil cross-pollinated with same species pollen from a plant known to be S₁S₂ at the self-incompatible locus S produces offspring that are S₁S₂ or S₂S₃. The genotype of the female parent is most likely to be

A) S₁S_1.
B) S₁S_2.
C) S₁S_3.
D) S₂S_3.
E) S₂S_2.

Question 19

After double fertilisation in flowering plants the

A) shoot meristem gives rise to the epicotyl.
B) the suspensor undergoes repeated cell division which develops into the apical meristem.
C) endosperm gives rise to the cotyledons.
D) integuments of the ovule form a protective fruit around the embryo.
E) testa (seed coat) is derived from the ovary wall.

Question 20

Which of the following embryonic structures is found only in the seeds of monocotyledons?

A) Coleoptile
B) Radicle
C) Endosperm
D) Cotyledon
E) Testa

Question 21

In epigeal germination of flowering plants the

A) cotyledons emerge from the seed and function as juvenile leaves.
B) the radical emerges from the seed coat followed by the hypocotyl.
C) epicotyl is the first organ to emerge through the seed coat.
D) cotyledons remain underground or in the seed coat.
E) epicotyl elongates into a U-shape, pushing the cotyledons and hypocotyl above ground.

Question 22

In Arabidopsis, the formation of floral whorls is controlled by

A) maternal-effect genes.
B) homeotic genes.
C) segmentation genes.
D) intracellular factors only.
E) inducible genes.

Question 23

In normal flowers of Arabidopsis, the gene responsible for the formation of sepals is expressed in

A) inner whorl (4).
B) the two outer whorls (1 and 2).
C) the two inner whorls (3 and 4).
D) whorls 2, 3 and 4.
E) outer whorl (1).

Question 24

Apical meristems

A) give rise to primary and secondary plant tissues at the tips of roots and shoots.
B) are clusters of actively dividing cells at the ends of roots and shoots.
C) are involved in the development of leaf primordia and lateral roots.
D) are domes of cells that cover and protect zones of rapidly dividing cells at the tips of roots and shoots.
E) are formed early in the development of the embryo from the hypocotyl.

Question 25

Asexual reproduction in flowering plants

A) produces new individuals by meiosis.
B) involves two parents.
C) generates genetic variation within populations.
D) produces offspring genetically identical to the parents.
E) requires both mitosis and meiosis.

Question 26

Plant cells are unlike animal cells in that

A) they do not undergo differentiation.
B) living plant cells have the potential to regrow the entire organism.
C) their fate remains undetermined for the life of the plant.
D) many cells do not require oxygen.
E) they are not organised into organs.

Question 27

In plants, totipotent callus cells

A) are cells from the ends of roots or shoots.
B) lack the ability to differentiate.
C) can form roots or shoots depending on the hormone treatment they receive.
D) are only produced under controlled laboratory conditions.
E) produce plants which are unable to fruit.

Question 28

In plant biotechnology, transformation is the

A) insertion of the complete genome of an organism into a host cell.
B) removal of part of a host cell's genome.
C) process of altering the genetic makeup of a cell.
D) the use of a plasmid to transfer a gene into a plant cell.
E) insertion of a desirable gene into a bacterial plasmid vector.

Question 29

In the development of new and better varieties of plants, one of the advantages of genetic engineering over traditional methods of selective breeding is that

A) genetically engineered characteristics are less likely to spread from crop species to related wild species.
B) transformation of a plant cell requires plant DNA which is readily available.
C) there appear to be few restrictions on the source of genes for transforming host cells.
D) the development of transgenic plants occurs in the controlled environment of a laboratory without the need for field trials.
E) the inserted exotic DNA will not be exposed to position effects within the genome of the host cell.

Question 30

In flowering plants, self-pollination has many advantages, including

A) ensures genetic diversity of the seeds.
B) maintains recessive genes which are required to maintain flower colour.
C) ensures a high production of seeds.
D) is used when plants are unable to undergo apomixis.
E) is required to maintain plant genetic stability.

Question 31

Cleistogamy

A) is the layer of cells around the seed to protect it.
B) is the self-incompatibility found in many flowering plants.
C) is the process of asexual reproduction in flowering plants.
D) describes flowers that ensure self-pollination.
E) the coat that protects the immature shoot meristems.

Question 32

The testa of a plant is

A) a sheath of tissue surrounding the immature shoot meristems.
B) the layer of cells protecting the dormant embryo in a flowering plant.
C) the food reserves for the cotyedon.
D) derived from the integuments of the embryo.
E) the tissue surrounding the immature root meristems.

Question 33

The plant Arabidopsis is widely used to understand plant function. There are many reasons for its successful use EXCEPT

A) the Arabidopsis genome has been fully sequenced.
B) Arabidopsis has a rapid generation time from embryo to seed.
C) the plant is readily transformed using multiple techniques.
D) the whorls of Arabidopsis form double flowers which enable identification of the flower parts.
E) mutations in specific genes are relatively easy to produce and identify.

Question 34

Flowering plants have developed a range of strategies to enable them to select an appropriate partner. This selection usually takes place on the

A) stigma.
B) micropyle.
C) anther.
D) pollen tube.
E) carpel.

Question 35

Which of the following statements about flowering plants is INCORRECT?

A) The flower is the site of reproduction.
B) In a plant life-cycle there is an alternation between a multicellular haploid stage and a multicellular diploid stage.
C) Unlike animals, in plants the gametes are not a direct result of meiotic division.
D) The diploid stage of a plant produce two different haploid spores, microspores and megaspores.
E) The principal organs of a flower are arranged in four concentric whorls.

Question 36

In asexual reproduction, new plants arise from a single parent by

A) mitotic division of a diploid megaspore to form an embryo which then develops into a seed.
B) the production of stolons, long stems that grow along the surface of the soil and produces leaves and roots.
C) production of rhizomes.
D) budding.
E) All of the answers are means for asexual reproduction in flowering plants.

Question 37

With respect to mature pollen grains, which of the following statements is INCORRECT?

A) Mature pollen grains contain accumulated fat.
B) A mature pollen grain consists of a single cell.
C) Mature pollen grains are typically in a desiccated state.
D) A mature pollen grain contains a generative cell.
E) Mature pollen grains can spread by various vectors, including environmental and/or biological.

Question 38

A mature pollen grain is typically released in a desiccated state. As such, which of the following must a receptive stigma provide in order for a pollen tube to fertilise an ovary, and why?

A) Water, so that the pollen grain can resume metabolic activity.
B) Nutrients, as pollen grains typically carry no energy reserves.
C) Anti-fungal compounds to prevent the pollen grains being broken down by plant pathogens.
D) Phyto-hormones to attract the pollen grain vector to the stigma.
E) A physical barrier to prevent the pollen grain being eaten by birds and insects.

Question 39

What is the primary feature of pollen grains that can make them important micro-fossils in studying ecosystems?

A) Association with pollen transport vectors, giving strong indications of relationships between organisms
B) Small size
C) Structural compounds rich in oligosaccharides
D) Quantity
E) High resistance to degradation

Question 40

Which of the following is a major disadvantage of plant self-fertilisation?

A) Reduced floral whorls
B) Large numbers of wasted gametes
C) Lack of control over pollen landing and germinating on the stigma
D) Reduced or absent vegetative cell
E) Loss of genetic diversity

Question 41

A trait of plants that is of significant importance in plant biotechnology is the ability to regenerate a whole plant from a single plant cell. When growing undifferentiated tissue in the lab, how can such cells be maintained indefinitely?

A) All the options listed here are correct
B) Subculturing
C) By growing tissue on a synthetic growth medium that provides nutrients, carbohydrates and water
D) By growing tissue in an aseptic environment
E) By transferring tissue produced by wounding to a growth medium

Question 42

Two plant scientists are arguing over the generation of endosperm. Both agree that a germinating pollen grain consists of a pollen tube cell and two sperm cells, and that endosperm is triploid. However, scientist one thinks one of the sperm cells and the tube nuclei fuse with a central cell that contains one nucleus, whereas scientist two thinks only one of the sperm cells fuses with a central cell that contains two nuclei. Which scientist is correct?

A) Both are correct; central cells can contain either one or two nuclei depending on the plant family
B) Both are incorrect; endosperm is diploid
C) Scientist one
D) Scientist two
E) Both are incorrect; endosperm is haploid

Question 43

Relative to their size, pollen tube cells are extremely large. How do such very large cells keep the necessary organelles and nutrients concentrated at the growing tip?

A) By producing very high numbers of all the required organelles and nutrients, such that there are a high concentration throughout the cell at all positions.
B) Pollen tubes typically grow down, therefore the required organelles and nutrients simply accumulate at the growing tube via gravity.
C) By depositing membranous plugs behind the extending tip, thereby concentrating the required organelles and nutrients at the growing tip.
D) By depositing lignified plugs behind the extending tip, thereby concentrating the required organelles and nutrients at the growing tip.
E) By depositing callose plugs behind the extending tip, thereby concentrating the required organelles and nutrients at the growing tip.

Question 44

Which of the following is NOT a developmental change that occurs in flowers post-fertilisation?

A) Petals fall off
B) Deposition of callose plugs in pollen tube
C) Fertilised ovules develop into seeds
D) The style withers
E) The stigma becomes unresponsive to mature pollen grains

Question 45

Which of the following is NOT a means by which plants can reproduce asexually?

A) Via long stems that grow horizontally across the soil surface and produce new stems and roots at regular intervals
B) By the production of clones, due to the absence of any plants of the opposite gender
C) Using underground storage organs
D) Broken branchlets that disperse, then take root and germinate
E) Via callose plugs that bud or sucker