H

Y S.No. CONTENTS Page PLANT GROWTH

G AND DEVELOPMENT
O 88. Growth 145 89. Characterstics of plant
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growth 145 90. Growth is measurable 145 91.
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Phases of growth 146 92. Growth rates 146
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93. Conditions for growth 148

94. Differentiation, dedifferentiation and redifferentiation 149

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Session 2019-20 95. Development 149

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96. Plant growth regulators (PGRs) 151

97. Auxin 152

 98. Gibberellins 154
99. Cytokinin 155
100. Ethylene 156
101. Abscisic acid (ABA) 156
102. Photoperiodism 157
103. Vernalisation 159
104. Seed dormancy 160
105. Exercise-I (Conceptual Questions) 161
106. Exercise-II (Previous Years Questions) 165
107. Exercise-III (Analytical Questions) 169
108. Exercise-IV (Assertion & Reason) 172
109. Important experiments of plant physiology 174

Plant growth and development : Seed germination; Phases of Plant growth and plant growth rate;
Conditions of growth; Differentiation, dedifferentiation and redifferentiation; Sequence of developmental
process in a plant cell; Growth regulators-auxin,gibberellin, cytokinin, ethylene, ABA; Seed dormancy;
Vernalisation; Photoperiodism.

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Pre-Med ALLEN PLANT GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Growth
∙ Growth can be defined as an irreversible permanent increase in size of an organ or its parts or even of an
individual cell.
∙ Growth is accompained by metabolic processes (both anabolic and catabolic), that occur at the expense of
energy. e.g., expansion of a leaf is growth.
Q. How would you describe the swelling of piece of wood when placed in water ?
Ans. It is an example of imbibition not growth, it is an reversible increase.

Characterstics of plant growth

(1) Plant growth is generally indeterminate because plants retain the capacity for unlimited growth throughout
 ALLEN
their life.
This ability of plants is due to the presence of meristems at certain locations in their body. The cells of
such meristems have the capacity to divide and self-perpetuate. The product, however, soon loses the
capacity to
divide and such cells make up the plant body. (2) Plant
growth is localised.

2019-20
Session
Reason : Plant growth is restricted to certain locations (apical meristems, intercalary meristems, lateral
meristems) within plant body.
(3) Plant growth is open. In this form of growth new cells are always being added to the plant body by the
activity of the meristem.
(4) Plant growth is of two types :
(i) Primary growth : Root apical meristem and shoot apical meristem are responsible for the primary
growth of the plants and principally contribute to the elongation of the plants along their axis.
(ii) Secondary growth : In dicotyledonous plants and gymnosperms the lateral meristems (vascular
cambium and cork cambium) are responsible for secondary growth and contribute to the increase in
the girth of the organs (root, stem).

Growth is measurable
Growth at cellular level, is principally a consequence of increase in the amount of protoplasm. Since
increase in protoplasm is difficult to measure directly, one generally measures some quantity which is
more or less proportional to it.

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Growth is measured by a variety of parameters, they are :
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(i) Increase in fresh and dry weight.
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(ii) Increase in length e.g., length of pollen tube.
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(iii) Increase in surface area e.g., growth in surface area of a leaf.
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(iv) Increase in cell number e.g., maize root apical meristem can give rise to more than 17500 new cells per hour.
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(v) Increase in cell size or volume. e.g., cells in a watermelon may increase in size upto 3,50,000 times.
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(vi) Increase in girth e.g., increase in diameters of dicot root and dicot stem.
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Methods of growth measurement
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(a) By direct observation (b) By auxanometer
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(c) By crescograph : This apparatus was developed by J.C. Bose.
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E 145 Z

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Pre-Med ALLEN Phases of growth
The period of growth is generally divided into three phases, namely :
(i) Meristematic phase
(ii) Elongation phase
(iii) Maturation phase
(i) Meristematic phase : The small. (c) Cell walls are primary E
constantly dividing cells, both at in nature, thin and cellulosic. D
the root apex and the shoot
apex, represent the meristematic C
phase of growth. The cells in this
region are characterised by : B

(a) Cells are small in size with A

abundant plasmodesmal
connections.
(b) Intercellular spaces are Parallel line technique to detect
absent, if present then very G
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(d) Cells are rich in protoplasm, possess zone of elongation in root
large conspicuous nuclei.
(ii) Elongation phase : The cells proximal to the meristematic zone represent the phase of elongation.
Cells in this region are characterised by :
(a) Increased vacuolation (b) Cell enlargement (c) New cell wall deposition

Session 2019-20
(iii) Maturation phase : The cells more proximal to the phase of elongation represent the phase of
maturation. Cells of this zone, attain their maximal size in terms of wall thickening and protoplasm
modifications.
Growth rates
The increased growth per unit time is termed as growth rate. Thus, rate of growth can be expressed
mathematically. An organism, or a part of the organism can produce more cells in two ways : (1)
Arithmetic (2) Geometric

(a) Arithmetic (b) Geometric

(c) Zygote divided

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= Cells capable of division

Arithmetic phase:
These cells divide

These cells do not divide

Geometric phase:
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= Cells that lose capacity dividie

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all cells divide

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Diagrammatic representation of : (a) Arithmetic (b) Geometric growth T

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and (c) Stages during embryo development showing geometric and A

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Pre-Med ALLEN (1) Arithmetic growth : In arithmetic growth cell undergoes mitotic cell
 division and produce two daughter cells.
Only one daughter cell continue to divide while the other differentiates and matures.

∙ The simplest expression of arithmetic growth is examplified by a root elongating at a constant rate. ∙
Mathematically, it is expressed as :

L L rt t0= +
t

Lt = Length at time 't' n

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L0 = Length at time 'zero' h

r = Growth rate/elongation per unit time t

∙ On plotting the length of the root against time, H

ALLEN
a linear curve is obtained. (2) Geometric growth :

Time
2019-20

SessionIn geometric growth cell undergoes mitotic cell division and produce two daughter progeny. Both the

progeny cells following mitotic cell division retain the ability to divide and continue to do so.

Geometric growth has two phases - Lag and Log phase. When nutrients are limited the growth will be
logistic which show sigmoid growth curve.

Sigmoid growth curve is divided into following three stages :

 (a) Lag phase : It is initial stage, where growth is slow.

(b) Log phase : At this stage growth is rapid at exponential rate.

(c) Stationary phase : At this stage, the growth slows down leading to a stationary phase. ∙
The exponential growth can be expressed as :

w1 = w0ert
w1 = final size (weight, height, number etc.)
w0 = Initial size at the begining of the period.
r = growth rate
t = time of growth

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e = base of natural logarithms
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Here, 'r' is the relative growth rate and is also the measure of the ability of the plant to produce new plant
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material, referred to as efficiency index. Hence, the final size of w1 depends upon the initial size, w0.
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∙ If we plot the parameter of growth against time, we get a typical sigmoid or s-curve.
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∙ A sigmoid curve is a characteristic of living organism growing in a natural environment (limited resources).
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∙ It is typical for all cells, tissues and organs of plant. It is also idealised for cells in culture.
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Q. What kind of a curve can you expect in a tree showing seasonal activities ?
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Ans. Sigmoid or S-curve
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Pre-Med ALLEN Quantitative comparisions between the growth of living system can also
be made in two ways :
(i) Absolute growth rate : Measurement and comparision of total growth per unit time is called the
absolute growth rate.
(ii) Relative growth rate : The growth of the given system per unit time expressed on a common basis,
e.g., per unit initial parameter is called the relative growth rate.

e given system per unit time

Relative growth rate = Growth of th 100

Initialparameter×

Explaination : Two leaves A(5cm 2) and B(50 cm2) undergo growth for unit time (one week) and give A 1(10
cm2) B1(55 cm2)

Growth rates Leaf A Leaf B

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Absolute growth rate 5 cm 5 cm

ALLEN
Relative growth rate 100% 10%

Session 2019-20
Diagrammatic comparison of absolute and relative growth rates. Both leaves A and B have
increased their area by 5 cm2 in a given time (one week) to produce A 1, B1 leaves. Conditions for growth
: Necessary conditions for growth are :
(1) Water :
∙ The plant cells grow in size by cell enlargement which in turn requires water.
∙ Turgidity of cells help in extension growth. Thus, plant growth and further development is intimately linked to
the water status of the plant. 5

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∙ Water also provides the medium for enzymatic activities needed for growth. H

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(2) Oxygen : Oxygen helps in releasing metabolic energy essential for growth activities. 7

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(3) Nutrients : Macro and micro essential elements are required by plants for the synthesis of protoplasm and act O
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as source of energy. A
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(4) Temperature : Every plant organism has an optimum temperature range best suited for its growth. Any E
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deviation from this range could be detrimental to its survival. G

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(5) Environment signals : \

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(i) Light : Light is a stimulus for shoot growth. (positive phototropism). 0

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(ii) Gravity : Gravity is a stimulus for root growth (positive geotropism) 0

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148 E Z

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Pre-Med ALLEN DIFFERENTIATION, DEDIFFERENTIATION AND
REDIFFERENTIATION Differentiation : The cells derived from root apical, shoot apical meristems and
cambium differentiate and mature to perform specific functions. This act leading to maturation is termed as
differentiation. ∙ During differentiation cells undergo few to major structural changes both in their cell walls and
protoplasms. Example : To form a tracheary element, the cells would lose their protoplasm. They also develop a
very strong, elastic lignocellulosic secondary cell walls, to carry water to long distances under extreme tension.
Dedifferentiation : The living differentiated cells, that by now have lost the capacity to divide can regain the
capacity of division under certain conditions. This phenomenon is termed as dedifferentiation. Example :
Formation of secondary meristems (interfascicular cambium and cork cambium) from fully differentiated
 parenchyma cells.
Redifferentiation : Cells of secondary meristems are able to divide and produce cells that once again lose
the capacity to divide and mature to perform specific functions. Such cells are called redifferentiated and
phenomenon is termed as redifferentiation.
List of tissues in a woody dicotyledonous plant that are the products of redifferentiation :

ALLEN
∙ Secondary xylem
∙ Secondary phloem
∙ Cork or phellem
∙ Secondary cortex or phelloderm
Q. How would you describe a tumour ? Ans. Tumour is a
product of dedifferentiation.

2019-20
Session
Q. What would you call the parenchyma cells that are made to divide under controlled laboratory conditions
during plant tissue culture ?
Ans. It is dedifferentiation and cells are dedifferentiated cells.
Differentiation in plants is open because cells/tissues arising out of the same meristem have different
structures at maturity. The final structure at maturity of a cell/tissue is also determined by the location of
the cell within the plant body.
Example : Cells postioned away from root apical meristems differentiate as root cap cells, while those
pushed to the periphery mature as epidermis.
Development : It is a term that includes all changes that an organism goes through during its life cycle
from germination of the seed to senescence.
Diagramatic representation of the sequence of processes which constitute the development of a cell of a
higher plant : It is also applicable to tissues/organs.

Death Cell Division

Senescence
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Plasmatic growth Differentiation

Meristematic cell
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Maturation Mature cell

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Plasticity : Plants follow different pathways in response to

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environment or phases of life to form different _

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kinds of structures. This ability is called plasticity.
Example (i) : Developmental heterophylly in cotton,
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coriander and larkspur.
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In such plants, the leaves of the juvenile plant, are
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different in shape from those in mature plant. Example (ii)
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: Environmental Heterophylly in buttercup (Ranunculus).

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In this plant leaves are different in shape produced in air
from leaves those produced in water. (Buttercup is an
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emergent hydrophyte.)
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Expansion (Elongation)

Sequence of the development process in a plant cell

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Pre-Med ALLEN

(a) (b) (c) (d)

Juvenile Adult Terrestrial habitat Water habitat

Heterophylly in larkspur (a, b) buttercup (c, d) Heterophylly in

 ALLEN
∙ Thus, growth, differentiation and development are very closely related events in the life of a plant. Broadly
development is considered as the sum of growth and differentiation.
∙ Development in plants (i.e., both growth and differentiation) is under the control of intrinsic and extrinsic
factors. Intracellular (genetic)

Session Intercellular
e.g., plant growth regulators/PGRs

Factors
Internal External

2019-20
e.g., light, temperature, water, oxygen, nutrition etc.

BEGINNER'S BOX-1

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= Cells capable of division

= Cells that lose capacity to divide 5

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Above diagram showing the development of embryo from zygote. From the following options choose the W

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correct match for ‘A’ and ‘B’:- 7

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(1) Arithmetic growth Geometric

growth

(2) Geometric Arithmetic growth

growth

(3) Arithmetic growth Arithmetic growth

(4) Geometric Geometric

growth growth

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Pre-Med ALLEN 2. The type of growth, in which only one daughter cell among the two
(produced by the division of meristem cell) retain the ability to divide, shows which of the following growth
curves ?
(1) Linear curve (2) Sigmoid curve
(3) J-shape curve (4) Bell shape curve
3. Which of the following is an example of plasticity in plants ?

(1) Continuous addition of new cells in plant body.

(2) Cells arising out of the same meritem have different structure at maturity.

(3) Difference in shape of leaves due to phases of life or environment.

(4) Determinate growth in the some plant organs.

4.
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Sessin 2019-20
Above diagram shows the parallel line technique which is used :-
(1) to ensure the germination of seeds. (2) to detect the zone of elongation. (3) to measure
the growth rate (4) to measure the length of a plant 5. Which of the following matches is not
appropriate regarding measurement of growth?

(1 Dorsiventral leaf

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Increase in surface

area

(2 Watermelon Increase in size of cells

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(3 Maize root apical Increase in number of cells

) meristem

(4 Pollen tube
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o Increase in volume and fresh

weight
 AL Plant growth regulators (PGRs)
The plant growth regulators (PGRs) are small, simple molecules of diverse chemical composition. The
PGRs can be broadly divided into two groups based on their functions in a living plant body.

Indole compounds
Growth inhibitors
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Adenine derivatives
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(N furfuryl amino purine,
kinetin) 6
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PGRs
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Growth promoters carotenoids (Abscisic
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acid, ABA)
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e.g. IAA (Indole 3 acetic
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IBA (Indole 3 butyric
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Terpenes (gibberellic
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∙ The gaseous PGR, ethylene, could fit either of the groups, but it is largely an inhibitor of growth activities.
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Pre-Med ALLEN

AUXIN
Auxin term is derived from Greek word 'auxein' which means to grow.
History :
Charles Darwin and his son Francis Darwin :
∙ They observed that the coleoptiles of canary grass responded to unilateral illumination by growing
towards the light source (phototropism).
After a series of experiments, it was concluded that the tip of coleoptile was the site of transmittable
influence that caused the bending of the entire coleptile.

ALLEN

Session 2019-20
(a) (b) (c) (d)

Series of experiments used to demonstrate

that tip of the coleoptile is the source of auxin.
Arrows indicate direction of light

F.W. went :
He is credited for :
∙ Discovery of auxin.
∙ Coined the term auxin.
 ∙ Isolated auxin from tips of coleoptiles of oat seedlings.
∙ Bioassay of auxin (Avena curvature test).

Kogl and Haagensmit :

First time isolated auxin from human urine.
Synthesis : Precursor of auxin is tryptophan. Zinc is also necessary for biosynthesis of auxin. Auxins
are generally produced by the growing apices of the stem and roots.
After synthesis auxins migrate to the regions of their action. (Transport is polar and basipetal) 5

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(1) Natural auxins : Such auxins have been isolated from plants. e.g. indole 3 acetic acid (IAA), indole 3 butyric G
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(2) Synthetic auxins : Such auxins have been artificially synthesised. _

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2,4–D (2, 4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid) M

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2,4,5–T (2, 4, 5-Trichloro phenoxy acetic acid) B

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IPA (Indole Propionic/Pyruvic acid) 0

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Pre-Med ALLEN Both natural and synthetic auxins have been used extensively in
agricultural and horticultural practices.
Physiological effects and applications :
(1) Apical dominance : In most higher plants, the growing apical bud inhibits the growth of the lateral (axillary)
buds, a phenomenon called apical dominance.
∙ Removal of shoot tips (decapitation) usually results in the growth of lateral buds. It is widely applied in tea
plantations and in hedge-making.
 ALLEN
Session 2019-20
Apical dominance in plants :
(a) A plant with apical bud intact
(b) A plant with apical bud removed
Note the growth of lateral buds into
branches after decapitation.

(2) Root initiation : Auxins help to initiate rooting in stem cuttings. This application is widely used for plant
propagation.
(3) Flowering : Auxins promote flowering in pineapple.
(4) Abscission : Auxins help to prevent fruit and leaf drop at early stages but promote the abscission of older
mature leaves and fruits.
(5) Parthenocarpy : Auxin induce parthenocarpy in tomatoes.
(6) Herbicide/weedicide : Auxins used as herbicides. 2,4 D widely used to kill dicotyledonous weeds. 2,4 D
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does not affect mature monocotyledonous plants. It is used to prepare weed free lawns by gardeners.
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(7) Xylem differentiation : Auxin controls xylem differentiation.
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(8) Cell division : Auxins helps in cell division.
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(9) Potato dormancy : MH (maleic hydrazide) and α NAA keep lateral buds of potato tubers dormant. Thus,
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Bioassay of auxin :
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Bioassay is a biological testing of a substance (PGR) on a plant or its parts.
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(a) Avena curvature test.
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Pre-Med ALLEN GIBBERELLINS
History :
∙ Japanese rice farmers observed some unusual rice seedlings in their paddy fields.
∙ Such rice seedling were excessively tall, pale, spindle shaped and sterile (do not wore seeds). ∙ These
seedlings were suffering from a disease called 'bakane' (foolish-seedling) disease; caused by a fungal
pathogen Gibberella fujikuroi.
∙ E. Kurosawa reported the apperance of symptoms of the disease in uninfected rice seedlings when they were
treated with sterile filtrates of the fungus.
∙ The active substances were later identified as gibberellic acid.
∙ There are more than 100 gibberellins reported from widely different organisms such as fungi and higher
plants. They are denoted as GA1, GA2, GA3 and so on.
∙ GA3 (C19H26O6) was one of the first gibberellins to be discovered and remains the most intensively studied form.
 ALLEN
∙ All GAs are acidic. Their precursor is acetyl CoA or mevalonic acid.

Physiological effects and applications :

Session 2019-20
(1) Bolting : Gibberellins promote bolting (internodal elongation just prior to flowering) in beet, cabbages and
many plants with rosette habit.
(2) Overcome genetic dwarfism : Gibberellins promote internodal elongation in genetically dwarf plants like
maize, Pisum, Vicia faba etc. Here only phenotype get change while genotype remains same. (3) Improve yield
in sugarcane : Sugarcane stores carbohydrate as sugar in their stems. Spraying sugarcane crop with
gibberellins increases the length of the stem (internodal elongation), thus increasing the yield by as much as 20
tonnes per acre.
(4) Improve shape in apple : Gibberellins, cause fruits like apple to elongate and improve its shape. (by
internodal elongation).
(5) Improve yield in grapes : Ability of gibberellins to cause an increase in length of axis (internodal elongation)
is used to increase the length of grapes stalks.
(6) Senescence : Gibberellins delay senescence. Thus, the fruits can be left on the tree longer so as to extend
the market period.
(7) Early maturity in conifers : Spraying juvenile conifers with GAs hastens the maturity period, thus leading to
early seed production.
(8) Brewing industry : GA3 is used to speed up the malting process in brewing industry.
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(9) Dormancy : Gibberellins induce the synthesis of hydrolysing enzyme α-amylase, lipases and proteases. These T

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Bioassay of gibberellins : N

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Pre-Med ALLEN CYTOKININS
History :
F. Skoog and his Co workers :

Internodal segments of Callus (a mass of

tobacco stems Auxin + any one of followingundifferentiated cells)
Auxin containing medium supplement proliferated.

Callus does not proliferate

Extracts of vascular tissues.

∙
Yeast extract.
∙
Coconut milk extract.
∙
DNA extract.
∙
 ALLEN
Skoog and Miller : They identified and crystallised the cytokinesis promoting active substance that they
termed kinetin. (a modified form of adenine, a purine).

Session 2019-20
Miller : He isolated an active substance from the autoclaved DNA of sperm cells of herring fish.
Kinetin does not occur naturally in plants.

∙ Search for natural substances with cytokinin like activities led to the isolation of zeatin from corn kernels and
coconut milk.

Synthesis : Natural cytokinins are synthesised in regions where rapid cell division occurs, for example :
root apices, developing shoot buds, young fruits etc. Root tips are major site of synthesis of cytokinins.
Physiological effects and applications :
(1) Cell division : Cytokinins have specific effects on cytokinesis (cytoplasmic division). It is considered as most
important biological effect of cytokinins.
(2) Overcome apical dominance : Cytokinins promote the growth of lateral buds. This role of cytokinin is
antagonist to auxin.
(3) Senescence : Cytokinins promote nutrient mobilisation towards young parts which helps in the delay of leaf
senescence.
(4) Help to produce new leaves.
(5) Help to produce chloroplast in leaves.
(6) Promote lateral shoot growth and adventitious shoot formation.

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(7) Induce opening of stomata.
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(8) Tissue culture :
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∙ Cytokinin and auxin together cause dedifferentiation in differentiated parenchymatous cells in tissue culture.
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∙ Morphogenesis :
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High concentration of cytokinins to low concentration of auxin = shoot differentation
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High concentration of auxin to low concentration of cytokinin = root differentiation
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Bioassay of cytokinin :
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(i) Tobacco pith cell division test.
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(ii) Chlorophyll preservation (retention) test.
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Pre-Med ALLEN

ETHYLENE

History :
∙ H.H. cousins confirmed the release of a volatile substance from ripened oranges that hastened the ripening of
stored unripened bananas.
∙ The volatile substance was identified as ethylene (H2C=CH2), a gaseous PGR.
Synthesis :
∙ Methionine is a precursor of ethylene. Ethylene is synthesised in large amounts by tissues undergoing
senescence and ripening fruits.
∙ Ethylene is one of the most widely used PGR in agriculture.
∙ The most widely used compound as source of ethylene is ethephon/CEPA (chloro ethyl phosphonic acid). ∙
Ethephon is an aqueous solutionwhich is readily absorbed and transported within the plant and releases
ethylene slowly.
Physiological effects and applications :
 ALLEN
(1) Fruit ripening : Ethylene is highly effective in fruit ripening. It enhances the respiration rate during ripening of
the fruits. This rise in rate of respiration is called respiratory climactic. e.g. tomato, apple, banana,
oranges (Citrus).
(2) Senescence and abscission : Ethylene promotes senescence and abscission of plant organs especially of
leaves and flowers.

Session 2019-20
∙ Ethephon is used to accelerates abscission in flowers and fruits (thinning of cotton, cherry, walnut). (3)
Triple response : Triple response of ethylene on plants include :
(a) Horizontal growth of seedlings
(b) Swelling of the axis
(c) Apical hook formation in dicot seedlings.
(4) Dormancy : Ethylene breaks seed and bud dormancy. Ethylene initiates germination in peanut seeds and
sprouting of potato tubers.
(5) Increase absorption surface : Ethylene promotes root growth and root hair formation, thus helping the plants
to increase their absorption surface.
(6) Ethylene is used to initiate flowering and for synchronising fruit-set in pineapples. (7)
Ethylene induces flowering in mango.
(8) Ethylene promotes female flowers in cucumbers (feminising effect). This result in increase of yield. (9)
Ethylene promotes rapid internode/petiole elongation in deep water rice plants. It help leaves/upper parts of the
shoot to remain above water.

ABSCISIC ACID/ABA

History : During mid 1960s three independent researches reported the purification and chemical
characterisation of three different kinds of inhibitors :
5

6
P
.

E
-

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Name of inhibitor Researcher Source

Inhibitor-B Bennet Clark and Dormant potato

Kefford tubers
 Abscissin-II Addicot and Okhuma Mature cotton fruits

Dormin Waring and Robinson Old betula leaves

G
-

O
L

O
I

P
_

A
L

P
-

0
\

6
_

E
L

O
I

Later all the three were proved to be chemicatly identical and named abscisic acid (ABA). B

Synthesis : Precursor of ABA is carotenoid (violoxanthin). A

B
-
I

Carotenoid (violoxanthin) oxidation

⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯→ ABA
\

\
:

156 E Z

ical : Biology
Pre-Med ALLEN Physiological effect and applications :
(1) ABA acts as a general plant growth inhibitor. (Inhibitor of plant metabolism).
(2) ABA inhibits seed germination.
(3) ABA stimulates the closing of stomata in the epidermis and increase tolerance of plants to various kinds of
stresses. Therefore, ABA is also called stress hormone.
(4) ABA plays an important role in seed development, maturation and dormancy. ∙ By inducing dormancy, ABA
helps seeds to withstand desiccation and other factors unfavourable for growth. (5) In most situations, ABA
acts as an antagonist to GA.
Q. Which one of the plant growth regulator would you use if you are asked to :
(a) Induce rooting in a twig.
(b) Quickly ripen a fruit
(c) Delay leaf senescence.
(d) Induce growth in axillary buds.
(e) 'bolt' a rosette plant.
 ALLEN
(f) Induce immediate stomatal closure in leaves.
Ans. (a) Auxin, (b) Ethylene, (c) Cytokinin, (d) Cytokinin, (e) Gibberellin, (f) Abscisic acid

Q. What would be expected to happen if :

(a) GA3 is applied to rice seedlings.

Session 2019-20
Ans. Rice seedlings become excessively tall, pale, spindle shaped and sterile, if excess of GA3 is
applied. (b) Dividing cells stop differentiating.
Ans. Development hindered, because development is sum of growth plus
differentiation. (c) A rotten fruit gets mixed with unripe fruits.
Ans. Overripen or rotten fruits give out ethylene, which induces ripening of unripe fruits.
(d) You forget to add cytokinin to the culture medium.
Ans. Culture can not be initiated because, parenchyma cells that are made to divide under controlled
laboratory conditions during plant tissue culture require both PGR i.e. auxin and cytokinin.

PHOTOPERIODISM
∙ Flowering in certain plants depends not only on a combination of light and dark exposures but also their
relative durations. This response of plants to periods of day/night is termed as photoperiodism. ∙ This
phenomenon was discovered by Garner and allard in maryland mammoth (a mutant variety of tobacco) and
biloxy soyabean.
Mechanism :
∙ Appropriate light/dark duration perceived by leaves with the help of a proteinaceous pigment (chromoprotein)
called phytochrome.
∙ After suitable exposure a hypothetical hormonal substance (florigen) migrates from leaves to shoot apices for
inducing flowering.
5
∙ Ultimately shoot apices modify into flowering apices.
6
P
.

-
Phytochrome : It is a chromoprotein pigment located on cell membrane. Phytochrome exists in two
H
T

R
interconvertable forms :
G
-

Y
(a) Pr (phytochrome red) (b) Pfr (phytochrome far red)
 G

O
L

O
I

P
_

A
L

-
Pr Pfr 660 nm
1

0
\

6
_

E
L

U
730 nm
D

O
I

A
Garner and Allard based upon response of plants to periods of day/night, classified plants into following
T

B
-
I

0
groups :
B

\
:

E 157 Z

ical : Biology
Pre-Med ALLEN (1) Short day plants (SDPs) :
∙ Plants require the exposure to light for a period less than critical duration are called short day plants (SDPs).

Examples : Tobacco, soyabean, Xanthium (cocklebur), Chrysanthemum, Dahlia, sugarcane, Cosmos,

rice, Tagetes etc.

∙ They need a continuous or uninterrupted dark period for flowering. Thus, short day plants (SDPs) are also
called long night plants (LNPs).

∙ In SDPs physiological active form of phytochrome is Pr. Therefore red light inhibits flowering and far red light
promotes flowering.

P
1
r

P>
fr
 ALLEN
(2) Long day plants (LDPs) : Plants require the exposure to light for a period exceeding a well defined critical
duration, are called long day plants (LDPs).

Examples : Hyoscyamus
(Henbane), spinach, Beta
vulgaris (sugarbeet), radish,
wheat, larkspur, barley etc.

Session
2019-20
∙ In LDPs physiological active form of phytochrome is Pfr. Therefore far red light inhibits flowering and red light
promotes flowering.

P
1
fr

P>
r

(3) Day neutral plants (DNPs) :

Plants in which there is no such correlation between exposure to light duration and induction of flowering
response. Such plants are called day neutral plants (DNPs).

Examples : Maize, cotton, tomato, sunflower, cucumber etc.

Above Above
 H
T Flowering
W

vegetative maturity
R

G
-
HP
7

Flowering
T
0
N
\

Critical
AL
Y
P-

Flowering
G 1

photoperiod
O 0\
6
L

No Flowering after O
I
EL
UD
O

Critical
S

Y M\

Below Below
G

photoperiod NE
\O
__

5
6
P
.

E
-
No Flowering

Long day plant Short day plant Day neutral plant

I

A
T

Photoperiodism : Long day, short day and day neutral plants 0

B
-
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158 E Z

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Pre-Med ALLEN VERNALISATION

In some plants flowering is either quantitatively or qualitatively dependent on exposure to low

temperature. This phenomenon is termed as vernalisation.
"Vernalisation refers specially to the promotion of flowering by a period of low temperature".
Requirements for success of vernalisation :
(1) Actively dividing cells (2) Period of low temperature treatment
(3) Aerobic respiration (4) Optimum hydration
(5) Optimum nutrition
Mechanism : After perception of suitable low temperature period, a hypothetical hormonal substance
(vernalin) is produced.
Examples : Some important food plants, wheat, barley, rye have two kinds of varieties : (i) Spring
varieties (ii) Winter varieties
Spring varieties Winter varities

They are normally planted in the They are planted in late autumn. They germinate
spring and come to flower and and over winter come out as small seedlings,
produce mature grain before the resume growth in spring and usually harvested
end of growing season. around mid-summer.
 ALLEN ∙ Winter varieties,

however, if planted in spring would normally fail to flower or produce mature grains within a
span of flowering season.

Session 2019-20
∙ Another example of vernalisation is seen in biennial plants (e.g. sugarbeet, cabbages, carrots etc.). Biennials
are monocarpic plants.
In first season they germinate then resume growth
and ultimately attain maturity.

Biennial plants

In second season they flower then form fruits, set seeds

and undergo senescence and die.
Significance : Vernalisation prevents precocious reproductive development late in the growing season
and enables the plant to have sufficient time to reach maturity.

Some special points

∙ Agent orange :
It is a mixture of equal parts of two herbicides, 2, 4-D and 2,4,5-T. Agent orange is a herbicide and
defoliant chemical.
It is widely known for its use by the U.S. military during the vietnam war from 1961 to 1971. The chemical
eroded forest cover of 31,000 km2.
∙ Optimum concentration of auxin for shoot growth is 10-100 ppm while for root growth it is very low i.e. 0.0001
ppm. (at high concentration auxin inhibit root growth.)
5

6
∙ Gibberellins induce flowering in long day plants (LDPs) under non inductive photoperiods.
P
.

E
-

H
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W
∙ Gibberellin is a substitute of vernalisation.
O

G
-

7
∙ Gibberellins is a substitute of red light requirement for seed germination in tobacco and lettuce (salad).
0

O
∙ Gibberellin is a male hormone (promote formation of male flowers)
L

O
I

P
∙ Auxin, gibberellin and ABA are acidic in nature while cytokinin is a basic hormone.
_

A
L

P
∙ The discovery of each of five major groups of PGR have been accidental.
-

0
\

6
_

E
∙ The role of PGR is of one kind of intrinsic control. Along with genomic control and extrinsic factors, they play
L

M
an important role in plant growth and development.
\

O
∙ Delay of senescence mainly caused by cytokinin.
I

G
∙ Low level of auxin in a leaf as compare to stem is an indication that very soon leaf will shed.
R

A
T

-
∙ For every phase of growth, differentiation and development of plants, one or the other PGR has some role to
I

0
play. Such roles could be complimentary or antagonistic. These could be individualistic or synergistic.
E

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E 159 Z

ical : Biology
Pre-Med ALLEN SEED DORMANCY
Seed dormancy refers in seeds to failure of a viable seed to germinate even when given favourable
environmental condition. Such seeds are understood to be undergoing a period of dormancy which is
controlled not by external environment but are under endogenous control or conditions within the seed
itself. Reasons of seed dormancy :
(i) Impermeable and hard seed coat.
(ii) Presence of chemical inhibitors such as abscissic acids, phenolic acids, para-ascorbic
acid. (iii) Immature embryo.
Breaking of dormancy :
This dormancy however can be overcome through natural means and various other man-made
ways : (1) By Natural way :
(i) Action of sunlight : Exposure to light breakdown the germination inhibitors.
(ii) Action of heat : Exposure to heat breakdown the germination inhibitors.
(iii) Passage through digestive tracts of animals : When seeds pass through digestive tract of animals
hard seed coat become soft due to action of enzymes. Enzymatic action also eliminate inhibitors. (iv) By
microbial action
(2) By artificial way :
ALLEN
(i) Stratification : Physiological dormancy is broken by exposure in cold temperature. (ii) Scarification : It
is breaking of dormancy by nicking seed coat with sharp knife and abrade seed with
sandpaper or by vigorous shaking.

Session 2019-20
(iii) Water : Soaking seeds in water overnight softens a hard seed coat enough to allow moisture inside
to that the seed can germinate.
(iv) Application of certain chemicals : Gibberellic acid and nitrates are often used to break seed

dormancy. BEGINNER'S BOX-2

1. Which of the following events in plants is not affected by interaction of more than one PGR ? (1)
Apical dominance (2) Abscission and senescence
(3) Dormancy in seeds/buds (4) Bolting process
2. Which of the following plant growth regulators, is derivative of accessory photosynthetic pigments?
(1) Abscisic acid (2) Gibberellic acid (3) Indole-3-acetic acid (4) Ethylene 3. Which of the following
applications of auxins is widely used for plant propagation ? (1) Selective killing of weeds to prepare
weed free lawns
(2) Initiation of rooting in stem cuttings
(3) Promotion of flowering in pineapple
(4) Induction of parthenocarpy
4. Flowering in long day plants and short day plants does not occur when they are exposed to light for a period
respectively -
(1) More than critical duration of light and less than critical duration of light
(2) Less than critical duration of light and more than critical duration of light
(3) Less than critical duration of light and less than critical duration of light
(4) More than critical duration of light and more than critical duration of light 5

6
P
.

5. Which of the following plant growth regulators helping the plants to increase their absorption surface? E
-

H
T

(1) Auxin (2) Gibberellin (3) Cytokinin (4) Ethylene R

G
-

G
 O
L

O
I

ANSWER KEY H

P
_

A
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P
-

0
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BEGINNER'S BOX -1 Que 1 2 3 4 5

.

Ans. 2 1 3 2 4

O
I

A
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BEGINNER'S BOX -2 Que 1 2 3 4 5

.

Ans. 4 1 2 2 4

B
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160 E Z

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Pre-Med ALLEN EXERCISE-I (Conceptual Questions) Build Up Your
Understanding
9. Auxanometer is meant for measuring - (1)
1. Primary precursor of I.A.A is :-
Respiratory activity
(1) Phenyl alanine (2) Tyrosine
(2) Photosynthetic activity
(3) Tryptophan (4) Leucin (3) Growth activity
2. The biological activity of I.A.A is tested by :- (1) (4) Osmotic pressure

α - amylase test 10. Auxin is mainly produced by -

(2) Avena curvature test (1) Apical root meristem
(3) Endosperm activity test (2) Root cambium
(4) Chlorophyll preservation test (3) Apical shoot meristem
(4) Phloem in shoot tip
3. Indole, 3 acetic acid, called as auxin was first
isolated from :- 11. In plants growth is -
(1) Human urine
ALLEN (4) Inhibition of growth of axillary buds by
(2) Corn germ oil removal of apical bud.
(3) Fusarium
6. Auxin inhibits the growth of -
(4) Rhizopus
(1) Apical bud
4. Stem elongation is affected by :- (2) Lateral axillary buds
(1) Restricted to certain regions or structure (3) Roots on stem cutting
(2) Irreversible 5
(4) Parthenocarpic development of fruits
(3) Change in size
6
P
.

X
-

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W
7. Which of the following is not a natural occuring plant

Session
O

G
-

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0

\
hormone ?
Y

2019-20
O
L

O
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S
(1) 2, 4 - D (2) GA2
Y

P
_
T

A
(3) Gibberellin (4) I.A.A
L

P
-

(4) All the above

0

12. Growth is primarily affected by two climatic factors

L

(1) Gibberellin and florigen (2) Auxin and D

8. Leaf fall occurs when the content of :-
gibberellin (3) Florigen and kinin (4) Kinin and
O

auxin G

N
(1) Auxin increases
5. Apical dominance means :-
E
\

O
I

(1) Suppression of growth of apical bud by \

B

axillary buds (2) Auxin decreases

E

(2) Suppression of growth of axillary buds by G

R

the presence of apical bud.

T

(3) Stimulation of growth of axillary buds by B

(3) Abscisic acid decreases
-

removal of apical bud

I

B
 plant (2) Avena coleoptiles, spinach leaves and
\

(4) Gibberellic acid decreases

0

E
fungus Gibberella
D

N
O
(3) Human urine and corn germ oil
(4) Human urine and rice plant
\
:

which are ?
(1) Light and temperature
(2) Temperature and relative humidity
(3) Light and wind
(4) Rainfall and temperature
13. In a growing plant, the first phase during the
process of growth is -
(1) Cell division (2) Cell enlargement (3) Cell
differentiation (4) Cell maturation
14. The natural plant hormones were first isolated
from (1) Cotton fruits, spinach leaves and rice
E 161 Z
15. Plants bend toward the light because -
(1) They need light for photosynthesis
(2) They need light for respiration
(3) Light attracts them
(4) Cells on the shaded side elongate more
16. If the tip of a seedling is cut off growth as well as
bending ceases because it hampers
(1) Respiration
(2) Photosynthesis
(3) Perception of light stimulus
(4) Transpiration

ical : Biology
Pre-Med ALLEN
17. Growth hormone acts - (1) Is a hormone whose main function is to
(1) Always as growth promotors induce the cell division
(2) Always are growth inhibitors (2) Induce bolting
(3) Some as promotors and some as (3) Induce senescence
inhibitors (4) Rarely as growth inducers (4) Causes dormancy
18. The movement of auxin is largely - (1) 29. Bolting hormone is -
Acropetal (2) Basipetal (1) Auxin (2) Gibberellin
(3) Lateral (4) Centripetal (3) ABA (4) Ethylene
19. Which growth hormone is responsible for apical 30. Gibberellins are -
dominance ?
(1) Growth inhibitors
(1) Auxin (2) Cytokinin (2) Growth promotor
(3) Gibberellin (4) Ethylene
28. Cytokinin -

20. 2 , 4 - D is a synthetic -
ALLEN
(1) Auxin (2) Gibberellin (3) Cytokinin (4) Florigen
(3) Not concerned with growth at all because of their influence on :
(4) Of little potential in agriculture (1) Rate of cell division
(2) Production of hydrolyzing enzymes
31. Gibberellins do not cause -
(3) Synthesis of abscisic acid
(4) Absorption of water through hard seed coat.

Session
33. Which of the following is a coconut milk factor ?
(1) Auxin (2) ABA
(3) Morphactin (4) Cytokinin

34. In germinating seeds Amylase,

2019-20
Proteases,Lipases are stimulated by :-
(1) Auxin (2) Gibberellin
21. Which of the following induces femaleness in (3) Cytokinin (4) Ethylene 5

plants ? (1) Ethylene (2) Ethanol

6
P
.

(3) ABA (4) Gibberellin -

H
T

35. Richmond lang effect due to cytokinins pertains to-

22. Agent orange is- W

(1) Biodegradable insecticide G

-

(2) Dioxin weedicide (2,4-D + 2,4,5-T) (1) Root formation 0

(3) Biofertilizer
\

(4) Biopesticide O
L

(2) Apical dominance

23. Richmond - Lang effect is due to :- (1)
O
I

Cytokinin (2) Auxin H

P
_

(3) ABA (4) All the above

T

(3) Delay of senescence N

24. A hypothetical chemical belived to be involved in P

L

flowering is :- 1

(1) Gibberellin (2) NAA (4) Leaf formation \

(3) Florigen (4) IAA

_

E
L

25. Photoperiodic stimulus is picked up by : (1) O

Phytochrome (2) Phytohormone (3) Enzyme (4) 36. Which one of the following is a gaseous plant
Vernalin
G

E
\

26. Which of the following plant hormone substitutes

I

hormone ?
for long photoperiod in flowering plant ? (1) Auxin (2) \

Gibberellin
E

G
R

(3) Cytokinin (4) Ethylene T

(1) Auxin (2) Gibberellin \

27. Internodal elongation is stimulated by :-

0

B
-
I

(1) Auxin (2) Cytokinin A

(3) Gibberellin (4) Phenol (3) Ethylene (4) Cytokinin

(1) Shortening of genetically tall plants \

(2) Stimulation of seed germination

E

(3) Promotion of parthenocarpy N

\
:

(4) Induction of α - amylase synthesis in barley

32. Gibberellins can promote seed germination

162 E Z
 ical : Biology
Pre-Med ALLEN
37. Pomalin is sprayed over apple to increase fruit (1) IAA (2) ABA
size, it is - (3) NAA (4) GA 3
(1) Auxin
47. Abscisic acid treatment results in -
(2) Mixture of auxin and gibberellin (1) Leaf expansion (2) Stem elongation (3)
(3) Mixture of auxin and cytokinin Stomatal closure (4) Root elongation
(4) Mixture of cytokinin and gibberellin
48. Natural cell division inducing factor occurs in -
38. Apical dominance can be overcome by (1) Coconut milk
application of :–
(2) Immature maize seeds
(1) Auxin (2) Gibberellin (3) Both (1) and (2)
(3) Cytokinin (4) Florigen (4) Heated t - RNA
39. The maximum growth rate occurs in :- (1) 49.. Seeds of Tomato do not germinate in its pulp due
Exponential phase (2) Stationary phase to-
46. Which of the following is growth inhibitor -

(3) Senescent phase (4) Lag phase

ALLEN
2019-20
40. Dormancy of seed is broken by :- (1) Auxin (2)
Gibberellins (3) Ethylene (4) Cytokinin
(4) Presence of ABA
(1) Presence of excess salts
(2) Presence of ferulic acid
(3) Absence of oxygen

41. In tissue culture, differentiation of shoot is

controlled by :-

Session (1) Light Intensity

(2) Temperature shock
(3) Low Auxin to high CK
(4) High auxin to low CK

42. Pine apple can made to flower in off season by

the application :-
(1) Zeatin (2) Ethylene
(3) Short day (4) Low temperature
 \

43. Among the following which helps in early ripening

-
I

of fruits ?
0

(1) Methane (2) Ethylene 0

(3) CO2(4) CO N
O

\
:

44. Abscisic acid induces :- 50. What is a stress hormone ?

5
(1) Shoot elongation (1) Benzyl aminopurine
(2) Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid
6
P
.

H
T
-
(3) Ethylene

W
(2) Cell elongation and cell wall formation (4) Abscisic acid
O

G
- 51. Seed dormancy is due to the :-
8

0
(3) Cell division (1) Ethylene (2) Abscisic acid (3) IAA (4)
Starch
\

O
L

(4) Leaf fall and dormancy 52. Hormone responsible to induce senescence :–
O
I

S
(1) ABA (2) Auxin
Y

P
_
(3) GA (4) Cytokinin
T

A
L 53. One set of a plant was grown at 12 hrs. day and
P

45. In autumn leaf fall occurs, because - 12 hours night period cycles and it flowered.
-

\
1

0 While in the other set night phase was

interrupted by flash of light and it did not flower.
6

Under which one of the following categories will

L

(1) Formation of abscission layer at the base

you place this plant (1) Short day (2) Long day
U

\ (3) Darkness neutral (4) Day neutral

G
(2) Leaf becomes heavy
N

E
54. Long day plant's produces flowers when they
\

O
I
exposed to :-
B

(3) Leaf does not remain green (1) Any duration of light
\

E (2) Light period longer than a critical day lenght

G

A
R

T
(3) Light period longer than 12 hrs.
(4) Of low temperature (4) Short photoperiods than critical day length

E 163 Z

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Pre-Med ALLEN
55. Which of the following is a hypothetical hormone?
(1) Gibberellin (2) Auxin 58. In short day plants (SDP) flowering is induced by
(3) Cytokinin (4) Florigen (1) Long night
(2) Photoperiod less than 12 hours
56. Which plant is LDP ? 59. Which is not a plant hormone -
(1) Tobacco (2) Glycine max. (3) (1) Phytochrome (2) Florigen
Xanthium (4) Spinach (3) GA (4) IAA

57. Wheat & henbane are :- 60. Which pigment absorbs the red and far–red light?
(1) SDP (2) DNP (1) Cytochrome (2) Phytochrome (3) Carotenoids (4)
(3) LNP (4) LDP Chlorophyll
 Cytokinin (4) Gibberellins
61. Cell elogation in internodel regions of the green
plants takes place due to :- 62. Prunning of plants promotes branching, because
(1) Ethylene (2) Indole acetic acid (3) the axillary buds get sensitized to :-

ALLEN
(3) Photoperiod shorter than critical value and (1) Ethylene (2) Gibberellin (3)
uniterrupted long night. Cytokinin (4) IAA
(4) Long photoperiod and interrupted long night.

Session 2019-20
EXERCISE-I (Conceptual Questions) ANSWER KEY 5

6
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.

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Qu 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
e.

Ans 3 2 1 2 2 2 1 2 3 3 4 1 1 3 4
.

Qu 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
e.

Ans 3 3 2 1 1 1 2 1 3 1 2 3 1 2 2
.

Qu 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45
e.

Ans 1 2 4 2 3 3 4 3 1 2 3 2 2 4 1
.

Qu 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60
e.

Ans 2 3 3 2 4 2 1 1 2 4 4 4 3 1 2
.

Qu 61 62
 e.

Ans 4 3
.

G
-

8
0

O
L

O
I

P
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A
L

P
-

E
L

E
\

O
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G
R

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B
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164 E Z

ical : Biology
Pre-Med ALLEN EXERCISE-II (Previous Year Questions) AIPMT/NEET & AIIMS
(2006-2018)
AIPMT 2008
AIPMT 2006
7. Senescence as an active developmental cellular
1. How does pruning help in making the hedge dense process in the growth and functioning of a
(1) The apical shoot grows faster after pruning flowering plant, is indicated in :-

(2) It releases wound hormones (1) Annual plants

(3) It induces the differentiation of new shoots (2) Floral parts

from the rootstock (3) Vessels and tracheid differentiation
(4) It frees axillary buds from apical dominance 2. (4) Leaf abscission

Parthenocarpic tomato fruits can be produced by? (1) 8. Importance of day length in flowering of plants was

raising the plants from vernalized seeds

ALLEN first shown in:-

(2) treating the plants with before pollen

phenylmercuric acetate (3)

(1) Cotton (2) Petunina
removing androecium of flowers

grains are released barley seeds is\

(1) Protease
(2) Invertase

Session (3) α&amylase

(4) Lipase

AIPMT 2007

4. Which one of the following pairs, is not

correctly matched ?
(1) IAA - Cell wall elongation

2019-20 (3) Lemna (2) Abscisic acid – Stomatal closure

(3) Gibberellic acid – Leaf fall
(4) Cytokinin – Cell division
5
6
P
.

(4) treating the plants with low

-

5. The wavelength of light absorbed Pr form of

concentrations of gibberellic acid and
H

auxins O

phytochrome is :-
3. An enzyme that can stimulate germination of G

8
-

\
 Y

O
L 9. One of the synthetic auxin is :-
(1) 620 nm (2) 640 nm
O
I (1) IAA (2) GA
S

P
(3) IBA (4) NAA
_
T

10. Which one of the following acids is a

N

(3) 680 nm (4) 720 nm

derivative of carotenoids ?
A

P
-

(1) Indole–3–acetic acid

1

(2) Gibberellic acid

_

E
L

6. "Foolish seeding" disease of rice led to the (3) Abscisic acid

D
discovery (4) Indole butyric acid
O

of :- 11. The annular and spirally thickened

conducting elements generally develop in
N

E
\

the protoxylem when the root or stem is :-

O
I

E
(1) Differentiating (2) Maturing
G
(1) IAA (2) GA (3) Elongating (4) Widening
R

\
T
AIPMT-Pre 2010
0

B
-

12. Phototropic curvature is the result of uneven

I

0
(3) ABA (4) 2, 4-D distribution of :
B

E
(1) Gibberellin
D

N
O
(2) Phytochrome
\

(3) Cytokinins
:

(4) Tobacco
(4) Auxin
AIPMT 2009

E 165 Z

ical : Biology
Pre-Med ALLEN
13. Photoperiodism was first characterised in 20. Which one of the following growth regulators is
: (1) Tobacco (2) Potato known as stress hormone ?
(1) Abscissic acid (2) Ethylene
(3) Tomato (4) Cotton
(3) GA3(4) Indole acetic acid AIPMT 2015
AIPMT-Mains 2010
21. Typical growth curve in plants is :-
14. Root development is promoted by : (1) Linear (2) Stair-steps shaped (3)
(1) Auxin Parabolic (4) Sigmoid
(2) Gibberellin
(3) Ethylene 22. What causes a green plant exposed to the light on
(4) Abscisic acid only one side, to bend toward the source of
light as it grows ?
AIPMT-Mains 2012
(1) Green plants seek light because they are
15. Which one of the following generally acts as an
antagonist to gibberellins ?
ALLEN removed and placed on agar for one hour, the
(1) ABA (2) IAA agar would produce a bending when placed on
(3) Zeatin (4) Ethylene one side of freshly-cut coleoptile stumps. Of
what significance is this experiment ?
16. Vernalisation stimulates flowering in : (1) Carrot (2)
(1) It made possible the isolation and exact
Ginger (3) Zamikand (4) Turmeric
identification of auxin.
phototropic (2) It is the basis for quantitative determination
(2) Light stimulates plant cells on the lighted side to grow of small amounts of growth-promoting
faster substances. (3) It supports the hypothesis that
IAA is auxin. (4) It demonstrated polar
movement of auxins.

Session 19. A few normal seedlings of tomato were kept in a

dark room. After a few days they were found to
have become white-coloured like albinos.
Which of the following terms will you use to

2019-20
describe them? (1) Mutated (2) Embolised
(3) Etiolated (4) Defoliated
Re-AIPMT 2015

23. Auxin can be bioassayed by :

(1) Lettuce hypocotyl elongation
(2) Avena coleoptile curvature
(3) Auxin accumulates on the shaded side, stimulating
(3) Hydroponics
greater cell elongation there.
(4) Potometer
(4) Green plants need light to perform photosynthesis
NEET-I 2016
17. Through their effect on plant growth regulators, 24. The Avena curvature is used for bioassay of :
what do the temperature and light control in the (1) ABA (2) GA 3
plants? (1) Closure of stomata
(3) IAA (4) Ethylene
(2) Fruit elongation
(3) Apical dominance NEET-II 2016
25. You are given a tissue with its potential for
(4) Flowering
differentiation in an artificial culture. Which of
AIPMT 2014 the following pairs of hormones would you add
to the medium to secure shoots as well as
18. Dr. F. Went noted that if coleoptile tips were roots ?
 5
E
6 L
P
U
.
D
X
- O

H
M
T

(1) Auxin and abscisic acid (1) Lipoprotein \

W
G

O
N
R E
G \
-
O
8 I

(2) Gibberellin and abscisic acid (2) Chromoprotein B

0

\ \

T
Y
E
G
G
O
R
L
A
O

(3) IAA and gibberellin (3) Flavoprotein T

I
\
S
0
Y B
H -
I
P
_ A

T 0

(4) Glycoprotein
N

(4) Auxin and cytokinin A

B

\
L 2
P 0
-
E
1
D
0
O
\
N
6
\

26. Phytochrome is a :- _
:

166 E Z

ical : Biology
Pre-Med ALLEN
AIIMS 2016
and root
27. Which of the following set is a synthetic PGRs?
formation
(1) Kinetin, 2,4-D, NAA
(2) Zeatin, IAA, IBA
(3) IAA, GA3, Ethylene
(4) Zeatin, ABA, IAA 34. For shoot callus formation 25 ppm, BAP is
28. Match the column and select the correct option:- required. For making 1 litre such solution,
amount of BAP required is :-
Column-I Column-II
(molecular weight = 225)
(Hormone (Function)
(1) 25 gm/litre (2) 0.25 mg/litre (3) 2.5
)
mg/litre (4) 25 mg/litre
a Cytokinin I Senesecence 35. Which of the following set denotes cytokinin?
(1) Zeatin, Kinetin, BAP
b Ethylene II Seed (2) IAA, NAA, Zeatin
development
(3) Kinetin, Gibberellin, IAA
c ABA III Cell growth (4) BAP, IBA, Gibberellin
36. Auxin was first time extracted from :-
d Auxin IV Helpful in shoot (1) Human urine
(2) Plant extract
 ALLEN (3) Plant callus extract
(4) Coconut milk
37. Which set among the following represent auxins?

Session 2019-20
(1) IBA, IAA, NAA (2) IAA, BAP, NAA
(1) a-III, b-I, c-II, d-IV (2) a-I, b-II, c-III, d-IV (3) O
(4) Acts as a general plant growth inhibitor and
a-II, b-I, c-III, d-IV (4) a-III, b-I, c-IV, d-II 29. Which of
I

the following set contains natural hormones? H

P
_

(1) 2,4-D, IBA, Gibberalin inhibitor of plant metabolism

(2) Cytokinin, 2-4-D, NAA
T

(3) IAA, Zeatin, ABA L

P
-

(4) Ethylene, NAA, ABA AIIMS 2018

NEET(UG) 2017 1

30. Fruit and leaf drop at early stages can be 6

prevented by the application of:

L

33. Which of the following is not true for ABA ?

(1) Ethylene (2) Auxins U

(3) Gibberellic acid (4) Cytokinins

M

AIIMS 2017 G
(1) seed dormancy and maturation
31. Which of the following is not correct for ethylene?
N

E
\

(1) Promotes horizontal growth in seedlings O

I

(2) Synchronize fruit set in pineapple (2) induce morphogenesis

\

(3) Not help to increase absorption surface of T

plant (4) Break seed and bud dormancy

G
R

A
T

5
32. Which among the following is not related to ABA? (3) stress hormone
\
6
P 0

.
(1) Induces shoot growth I
-

A
X 0
-

H
T
B
(4) antagonist to GA3
W
\

(2) Stress hormone

2

O E

R D

G O
-
N
8
\
0
:

\
(3) Induces seed dormancy (3) 2,4-D, GA3, IAA (4) 2,4-D, GA 3, NAA 38.
Y

G
Which of the following is not correct for ethylene? (1)
O
L Responsible for senescence and absicission of
 flowers.
i Carotenoids
(2) It increases the rate of respiration during
v
fruit ripening
(3) Internode elongation in deep water rice
seedlings
(4) Inhibit the formation of root hairs.
A B C D
39. Which one of the following is a set of natural
growth regulators ? (1 i ii iii iv
(1) NAA, IAA, IBA (2) 2,4-D, IBA, BAP (3) )
2,4-D, ABA, IBA (4) IAA, ABA, Zeatin 40. Match the
(2 ii iv i iii
following columns :-
)
Column-I Column-II
(3 iii i iv ii
A GA3 i Indole )

B IAA ii Adenine (4 iv iii ii i

)
C ABA ii Terpenes
i

D Cytokinin

E 167 Z

ical : Biology
Pre-Med ALLEN
41. Which of the following is not the function of Auxin hormones ?
? (1) Control xylem differentiation and induce (1) 2-4-D, BAP, NAA
cell division (2) Zeatin, NAA, IAA
(2) 2-4-D is used as herbicide for dicot (3) Zeatin, IBA, GA3
weeds (3) Promote fruit ripening (4) Zeatin, ABA, IAA
(4) Induce parthenocarpy 45. Which of the following is a regulatory
42. If given concentrations of BAP are 0.5 μM, 5 μM, pigment? (1) Xanthophyll
50 μM then find out the amounts (in PPM) of (2) Chlorophyll
BAP for shoot modification for respective (3) Carotene
concentrations (M. wt of BAP - 225)
(4) Phytochrome
(1) 0.5, 5.0, 50 (2) 0.1, 1.0, 11
46. If 25 ppm amount of 2, 4-D is require to perform
(3) 10, 100, 1000 (4) 50, 500, 5000
44. Which of the following sets is not of natural plant
ALLEN 43. Match the

following columns :-

a plant function, what amounts of 2, 4-D are require for

Column- Column-II
I making 5 litre, 10 litre and 15 litre solutions
respectively?
a ABA i Bolting of rosette

b Auxin ii Parthenocarpy in

c Ethephon ii
tomato

Ripening of fruits
Session
e i

2019-20
d GA i Stress hormone
v

a b c d
(Molecular weight of 2, 4-D = Approx 220)
(1) iv ii iii i (1) 0.125 g, 0.250 g, 0.375 g

(2) (2) 0.250 g, 0.500 g, 1.000 g

iv iii ii i
(3) 1.000 g, 0.500 g, 0.250 g
(3) iii ii i iv (4) 0.375 g, 0.250 g, 0.125 g
(4) ii i iii iv
 6
P
.

X
-

H
T

G
-

EXERCISE-II (Previous Year Questions) ANSWER KEY 8

O
L

Qu 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
e.

An 4 4 3 3 2 2 4 4 4 3 2 4 1 1 1
s.

Qu 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
e.

An 1 4 2 3 1 4 3 2 3 4 2 1 1 3 2
s.

Qu 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45
e.

An 3 1 2 4 1 1 1 4 4 3 3 2 1 1 4
s.

Qu 46
e.

An 1
s.

P
_
T

A
L

P
-

E
L

E
\

O
I

G
 R

A
T

B
-
I

\
:

168 E Z

ical : Biology
Pre-Med ALLEN EXERCISE-III (Analytical Questions) Check Your Understanding
10. Plants follows different pathways in response to
EXERCISE-III(A) (NCERT BASED QUESTIONS) environment to form different kinds of
structures, that is called :-
1. Which of the following is a characteristic feature of
(1) Plasticity (2) Senescence
meristematic cells –
(3) Photoperiodism (4) Vernalisation
(1) Cells are rich in protoplasm
(2) Cell walls are primary in nature 11. Which causes fruits like apple to elongate &
(3) Presence of large conspicuous nuclei improve its shape ?
(4) All of the above
(1) Ethylene (2) Gibberellins
2. Who isolated Auxin from tip of coleptiles of oat (3) Auxin (4) ABA
sedlings?
12. 2, 4-D does not affect :-
(1) Chales Darwin (2) Kogl
(1) Mature monocotyledons
(3) F.W. Went (4) Skoog

3. 'Bakane disease of rice seedlings' was

ALLEN(2) Mature dicotyledons (3) Both
caused by Gibberella fujikuroi' Which is – (4) None
(1) a Bacteria (2) an Algae

(3) a Protista (4) a Fungus

2019-20 13. Which of the

Session
following increases the tolerance of
4. Hormone which is sprayed on young conifers to
 hasten the maturity peiod and early seed
\

production is – (1) Breaks bud and seed dormancy

G

(1) Ethylene (2) ABA A

R

(3) Gibberellins (4) Cytokinin \

(2) Promotes root growth

5. Ethylene is used to initiate flowering and for I
-

synchronising fruit set in – 0

(1) Rice (2) Potato

2

(3) Delay senescence (4) Initiate flowering

(3) Pineapple (4) Cherry 0

6. Growth is measured by a variety of parameters,

N

\
:

in following which is not included ? plants to various kind of stresses?

(1) Fresh weight (2) Dry weight (1) ABA (2) C 2H4
(3) Area (4) Cell type (3) Auxin (4) None

7. Spraying sugarcane crop with gibberellins 14. Which of following is used to speed up the
increases the length of the stem, thus malting process?
increasing the yield by as much as :- (1) Auxin (2) GA 3
5

(1) 30 tonnes per acre (2) 40 tonnes per acre (3) Kinetin (4) ABA
6

15. Cells/tissues arising out of the same meristem

.

X
-

H
T
have different structures at maturity, this
W
(3) 20 tonnes per acre (4) 50 tonnes per acre phenomenon in plants is called :-
O

G
(1) Open growth
-

\
8
0 (2) Open differentiation
(3) Indeterminate growth
Y

O
8. In the following which is not present naturally in (4) Determinate differentiation
L

O
I

Y 16. The gaseous plant growth regulator ethylene

H

plants? could fit in the group of :-

P

(1) Plant growth inhibitors

_
T

(2) Plant growth promoters

A
L

-
(1) Auxin (2) Gibberellin (3) Both (1) and (2)
(4) Neither inhibitors nor promoters
1

17. Which of the following physiological effects, is

E

(3) Kinetin (4) Zeatin

common to both Auxins and Ethylene?
L

(1) Sprouting of potato tuber

O

N
G

(2) Petiole elongation in deep water rice

E

9. In the following which is not a function of ethylene? plants (3) Flowering in pineapple
\

O
I

B
(4) Weed killing

E 169 Z

ical : Biology
Pre-Med
18. PGR of which of the following chemical nature, is
helpful in wine production?
(1) Carotenoid derivative
ALLEN
19. Which of the following is not correctly matched?
(1) Delay leaf senescence ⇒ Cytokinin

(2) Adenine derivative (2) Induce rooting in a twig ⇒ Auxin

(3) Indole compound (3) Induce growth in axillary bud ⇒ Auxin
(4) Terpenes (4) Quickly ripen a fruit ⇒ Ethylene
 annual crop plants ?
20. Trees showing seasonal activities represents what
(1) It reduces vigour of the plant
25. If a tree flowers thrice in a year in October,
(2) The seeds cannot be stored under normal
January and July in northen India, the plant is -
conditions for the next season.
(1) Photo and thermo sensitive
(3) The seeds cannot exhibit long dormancy
(2) Photo and thermo insensitive
(4) It adversely affects the fertility of the plant.
(3) Photosensitive but thermo insensitive
(4) Thermo sensitive but photo insensitive

26. Why is vivipary an undesirable character for

ALLE

N kind of growth curve ?

(1) Linear (4) J shaped

(2) Sigmoid
(3) Double sigmoid EXERCISE-III(B) (ANALYTICAL QUESTIONS)
 treatment would be beneficial in which of the
21. Select out the incorrect match :- (1) Water → Cell following -
enlargement (1) Marchantia (2) Wheat
(2) Oxygen → Enzyme activation (3) Cuscuta (4) Bougainvillea
(3) Minerals → Osmotic regulation regarding the type of growth represented by
(4) Light → Flowering the above diagram ?
27. (a) It is observed at early stage of zygotic
division (b) Number of dividing cells remain
same
(c) It represents root growth at tip
(d) Represented by expression W1 = W0ert

Session (1) a and c (2) b, c and d

(3) a, b and d (4) b and c

28. Which of the following activities do not involve the

2019-20
5

6
P
.

role of GA? -

H
T

(1) Seed germination G

t
-
n 8

a 0

l \

Y
p
G

h
(2) malting O
t
L

f O
I
o
S
t Y

H
h

i
(3) Root growth P
e _
T
H
N

A
L

(4) Flowering in LDPs -

Time E
_

Which of the following statements are correct U

22. Parenchymatous cell that are made to divide 29. Removal of shoot tips (decapitation) usually results M

under controlled laboratory conditions during

\

plant tissue culture are :-

E
\

in the growth of lateral buds. It is related to the

(1) differentiated cells O
I

(2) dedifferentiated cells

\

(3) undifferentiated cells

G
R

removal of effect of which plant hormone?

(4) redifferentiated cells A

23. Regarding factors affecting the development,

-
I

(1) Ethylene (2) Auxin

PGR is the :- A

(1) Extrinsic factor \

(2) Intrinstic intra cellular control E

(3) Cytokinin (4) Gibberellic acid

(3) Intrinsic extra cellular control O

(4) Intrinsic inter cellular control

\
:

24. Induction of rooting in stem cutting by auxin

170 E Z

ical : Biology
Pre-Med ALLEN
30. Arithmetic growth is related to :- 37. In sigmoid growth curve, the exponential phase
(1) Lt = L0e (2) W1 = W0e
rt rt
slows down leading to a stationary phase due
(3) Lt = L0 + rt (4) L0 = Lt + rt to :-
31. Which plant hormone promotes the growth of (1) Toxic effect of some plant hormones
lateral buds ? (2) Genetic nature
(1) Auxin (2) Cytokinin (3) Limited nutrient supply
(3) Gibberellin (4) Abscisic acid (4) Absence of differentiation.

32. The site of perception of light/dark duration are 38. Which of the following plant growth regulators is
the :- responsible for ‘respiratory climactic’ ?
(1) meristems (2) floral buds
(1) Auxin (2) Ethylene
(3) mature leaves (4) lateral buds
(3) ABA (4) Cytokinin
33. Which hormone pair is of hypothetical hormones:-

ALLE
(1) NAA, GA3(2) Florigen, vernalin (3) ABA,
N Nicolson
kinetin (4) 2,4-D, Gibberellin
39. Plant growth regulators, which are involved in 35. Hormone involved in induction of α–amylase
growth inhibiting activities, also play an in Barley endosperm :
(1) GA (2) NAA
important role in -
(3) Ethylene (4) ABA
34. Photoperiodism was discovered by :-
36. Which statement is not correct about
ethylene ? (1) Synthesized in large amount by
tissues undergoing senescence.

Session (2) Enhances respiration rate during

ripening of the fruits
(3) Break down dormany in peanut seeds

2019-20
(4) Promotes male flower in cucumber

(1) Lysenko Klippart (2) Borthwick

Hendricks (3) Garner, Allard (4) Singer,
 T

AL
P-
1

0\
6

EL
UD
O

M\
G

E\
OI
5
B
6 \T
P E
.
GR
X AT
- \

H 0

T B
-
W I

O A

R 0B
\2
G
0E
- D
8
O
0
N
\
\:
Y

O
L
EXERCISE-III (Analytical Questions) ANSWER
O

KEY
I

S
_
Y

(1) Pattern formation in plants

Qu 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
(2) Tropic growth in plants e.
(3) Cell division and cell enlargement Ans 4 3 4 3 3 4 3 3
(4) Plant responses to wounds and stresses .

Qu 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
40. (i) Promote nutrient mobilisation e.
(ii) Overcome the apical dominance
Ans 3 3 4 3 2 2 2 4
(iii) Lateral shoot growth .
All the above physiological effects are Qu 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38
related to which of the following plant e.

growth regulators? (1) Auxins (2) Ans 2 3 2 3 1 4 3 2

.
Gibberellins
(3) Abscisic acid (4) Cytokinins
_

E 171 Z

ical : Biology
Pre-Med ALLEN EXERCISE-IV (Assertion & Reason) Target AIIMS
Directions for Assertion & Reason questions
These questions consist of two statements each, printed as Assertion and Reason. While
 answering these Questions you are required to choose any one of the following four responses.
(A) If both Assertion & Reason are True &the Reason is a correct explanation of the
Assertion. (B) If both Assertion & Reason are True but Reason is not a correct explanation of
the Assertion. (C) If Assertion is True but the Reason is False.
(D) If both Assertion & Reason are false.
7. Assertion :- Oxygen is compulsory for growth.
1. Assertion :- Growth is one of the part of plant Reason :- Oxygen is must for releasing
development. metabolic energy essential for growth.
Reason :- Development is overall process from

ALLE
birth to death and is sum of growth and
N
differentiation. 8. Assertion :- The act leading to maturation is
(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D known as differentiation.
(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D

2. Assertion :- Plants show open form of growth.

Session 2019-20
intimately linked with the water status of plant
Reason :- Plants retain their meristematic activity at cell. Reason :- Water provides the medium for
certain locations, throughout their life. enzymatic activities.
(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D (1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D

3. Assertion :- During arithmetic growth there is
growth at constant rate.
Reason :- During arithmetic growth only one
cell continuously add meristem.
(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D
4. Assertion :- A sigmoid curve is characteristic of
plants growing in natural environment.
Reason :- In natural conditions generally food
and space start to act as limiting factor.
(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D
6. Assertion :- Environmental signals such as light
and gravity also affect certain phases or stages
of growth.
Reason :- Gravity and light leads to differential
auxin concentration which is responsible for
differential growth.
(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D
Reason :- Differentiation leads to structural and
functional maturation of cells from meristematic
cells.
(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D

5. Assertion :- Plant growth and development is 9. Assertion :- Beside growth, differentiation in plants
 is also open.
I

Reason :- Cells/tissues arising out of the same P

_
T

meristem have different structure at maturity. N

(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D 12. Assertion :- Growth regulators are intrinsic and L

P
-

10. Assertion :- Development is a broad and 0

extensive aspect of the life of an organism. _

intercellular factors which controls development of

Reason :- Development includes all changes E
L

that an organism goes through during it's life D

cycle from birth of death. plant. M

(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D

\

E
\

11. Assertion :- Buttercup produces two different kind Reason :- Growth regulators are produced by plant O

of leaves within the same plant body. B

I

Reason :- Plants can follow different pathways in

T

5 G

6 R

cell itself and work in cells other than those in which

P
.

X
A
-
T
H
\

response to environment or phases of life to form T

0

B
-
I
W
A

they synthesise.
O

G 0
-
B

different kinds of structures, due to plasticity. 8

2
\

0 E

G
(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D D

O
O

(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D L

N

\
:

172 E Z

ical : Biology
Pre-Med ALLEN
13. Assertion :- Auxins help to prevent fruit and leaf 19. Assertion :- Ethylene increases the yield of
drop at early stages. cucurbits.
Reason :- In early stages auxins do not allow Reason :- Ethylene does not allow preharvest
differentiation of abscission zone at the base of fruit drop.
plant organs. (1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D
(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D
20. Assertion :- ABA is stress hormone. Reason :-
14. Assertion :- 2,4-D is one of the selective ABA causes abscission of old leaves and fruits.
weedicide. (1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D
Reason :- 2,4-D is widely used to kill
21. Assertion :- In day neutral plants there is no
dicotyledonous weeds and does not affect
correlation between exposure to light duration
mature monocotyledonous plants.
and flowering response.
(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D
 ALLEN
15. Assertion :- GA3 is used to speed up the malting nutrients.
process in brewing industries. (1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D
Reason :- GA3 leads to synthesis of α-amylase
hydrolysing enzyme which is responsible for
partial 5

Reason :- In Day neutral plant there is no 6

P
.

specific requirement of light and dark hours.

X
-

H
T

(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D W

G
-

hydrolysis of starch.
8
0

(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D

Y

O
L

O
I

Session
_
T

A
L

P
-

2019-20
E
L

duration of light and dark hours.

(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D
22. Assertion :- Flowering in plants depends only on a
23. Assertion :- LDPs without leaf are unable to
combination of light and dark exposure.
flower. Reason :- Leaves are only
Reason :- Flowering is not dependent on relative
photopercieving structure of plants for
16. Assertion :- Spraying of gibberellin leads to
flowering.
early seed formation in conifers.
(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D
Reason :- Gibberellins hastens the maturity
period. (1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D 24. Assertion :- Vernalisation prevents precocious
reproductive development till the plant matures.
17. Assertion :- Kinetin is synthetic cytokinin.
Reason :- Flowering may be quantitatively or
Reason :- Kinetin was obtained from herring
qualitatively affected by vernalisation.
sperm DNA.
(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D
(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D
25. Assertion :- Winter varieties of wheat & rye are
18. Assertion :- Cytokinins helps in the delay of leaf
planted in autumn not in spring.
senescence.
Reason :- If winter varieties planted in spring
Reason :- Cytokinin leads to mobilisation of
normally they fail to flower or produce mature
 grain within a span of flowering season. (1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D

D
EXERCISE-IV (Assertion & Reason) ANSWER KEY
O

Qu 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
e.

An 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
s.

Qu 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
e.

An 1 2 1 3 2 1 4 1 2 1
s.

O
I

G
R

A
T

B
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I

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E 173 Z