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Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Biology Book Solutions Chapter 2 Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 12 Biology Chapter 2 Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants

PSEB 12th Class Biology Guide Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants Textbook Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Name the parts of an angiosperm flower in which development of male and female gametophyte take place.
Answer:
The male gametophyte or the pollen grain develops inside the pollen chamber of the anther, whereas the female gametophyte (also known as the embryo sac) develops inside the nucellus of the ovule from the functional megaspore.

Question 2.
Differentiate between microsporogenesis and megasporogenesis. Which type of cell division occurs during these events? Name the structures formed at the end of these two events.
Answer:

(b) Both events (microsporogenesis and megasporogenesis) involve the process of meiosis or reduction division which results in the formation of haploid gametes from the microspore and megaspore mother cells.

(c) Microsporogenesis results in the formation of haploid microspores from a diploid microspore mother cell. On the other hand, megasporogenesis results in the formation of haploid megaspores from a diploid megaspore mother cell.

Question 3.
Arrange the following terms in the correct developmental sequence:
Pollen grain, sporogenous tissue, microspore tetrad, pollen mother cell, male gametes.
Answer:
The correct developmental sequence is as follows:
Sporogenous tissue, pollen mother cell, microspore tetrad, pollen grain, male gametes.
During the development of microsporangium, each cell of the sporogenous tissue acts as a pollen mother cell and gives rise to a microspore tetrad, containing four haploid microspores by the process of meiosis (microsporogenesis). As the anther matures, these microspores dissociate and develop into pollen grains. The pollen grains mature and give rise to male gametes.

Question 4.
With a neat, labelled diagram, describe the parts of a typical ’ angiosperm ovule.
Answer:
An ovule is a female megasporangium where the formation of megaspores takes place.

The various parts of a typical angiospermic ovule are as follows :
1. Funiculus: It is a stalk-like structure which represents the point of attachment of the ovule to the placenta of the ovary.

2. Hilum: It is the point where the body of the ovule is attached to the funiculus.

3. Integuments: They are the outer layers surrounding the ovule that provide protection to the developing embryo.

4. Micropyle: It is a narrow pore formed by the projection of integuments. It marks the point where the pollen tube enters the ovule at the time of fertilisation.

5. Nucellus: It is a mass of the parenchymatous tissue surrounded by the integuments from the outside. The nucellus provides nutrition to the developing embryo. The embryo sac is located inside the nucellus.

6. Chalaza: It is the based swollen part of the nucellus from where the integuments originate.

Question 5.
What is meant by monosporic development of female gametophyte?
Answer:
The female gametophyte or the embryo sac develops from a single functional megaspore. This is known as monosporic development of the female gametophyte. In most flowering plants, a single megaspore mother cell present at the micropylar pole of the nucellus region of the ovule undergoes meiosis to produce four haploid megaspores. Later, out of these four megaspores, only one functional megaspoxe develops into the female gametophyte, while the remaining three degenerate.

Question 6.
With a neat diagram explain the 7-celled, 8-nucleate nature of the female gametophyte.
Answer:
Structure of the mature embryo sac

The female gametophyte (embryo sac) develops from a single functional megaspore. This megaspore undergoes three successive mitotic divisions to form eight nucleate embryo sacs.
The first mitotic division in the megaspore forms two nuclei. One nucleus moves towards the micropylar end while the other nucleus moves towards the chalazal end. Then, these nuclei divide at their respective ends and re-divide to form eight nucleate stages. As a result, there are four nuclei each at both the ends i.e., at the micropylar and the chalazal end in the embryo sac. At the micropylar end, out of the four nuclei only three differentiate into two synergids and one egg cell. Together they are known as the egg apparatus.

Similarly, at the chalazal end, three out of four nuclei differentiates as antipodal cells. The remaining two cells (of the micropylar and the chalazal end) move towards the centre and are known as the polar nuclei, which are situated in a large central cell. Hence, at maturity, the female gametophyte appears as a 7-celled structure, though it has 8-nucleate.

Question 7.
What are chasmogamous flowers? Can cross-pollination occur in cleistogamous flowers? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer:
There are two types of flowers present in plants namely Oxalis and Viola – chasmogamous and cleistogamous flowers. Chasmogamous flowers have exposed anthers and stigmata similar to the flowers of other species.

Cross-pollination cannot occur in cleistogamous flowers. This is because cleistogamous flowers never open at all. Also, the anther and the stigma lie close to each other in these flowers. Hence, only self-pollination is possible in these flowers.

Question 8.
Mention two strategies evolved to prevent self-pollination in flowers.
Answer:
Self-pollination involves the transfer of pollen from the stamen to the pistil of the same flower. Two strategies that have evolved to prevent self-pollination in flowers are given on next page:
1. Self-incompatibility: In certain plants, the stigma of the flower has the capability to prevent the germination of pollen grains and hence, prevent the growth of the pollen tube. It is a genetic mechanism to prevent self-pollination called self-incompatibility. Incompatibility may be between individuals of the same species or between individuals of different species. Thus, incompatibility prevents breeding.

2. Protandry: In some plants, the gynoecium matures before the androecium or vice-versa. This phenomenon is known as protogyny or protandry respectively. This prevents the pollen from coming in contact with the stigma of the same flower.

Question 9.
What is self-incompatibility? Why does self-pollination not lead to seed formation in self-incompatible species?
Answer:
Self-incompatibility is a genetic mechanism in angiosperms that prevents self-pollination. It develops genetic incompatibility between ‘ individuals of the same species or between individuals of different
species.

The plants which exhibit this phenomenon have the ability to prevent germination of pollen grains and thus, prevent the growth of the pollen tube on the stigma of the flower. This prevents the fusion of the gametes along with the development of the embryo. As a result, no seed formation takes place.

Question 10.
What is bagging technique? How is it useful in a plant breeding programme?
Answer:
Various artificial hybridisation techniques (under various crop improvement programmes) involve the removal of the anther from bisexual flowers without affecting the female reproductive part (pistil) through the process of emasculation. Then, these emasculated flowers are wrapped in bags to prevent pollination by unwanted pollen grains. This process is called bagging.

This technique is an important part of the plant breeding programme as
it ensures that pollen grains of only desirable plants are used for fertilisation of the stigma to develop the desired plant variety.

Question 11.
What is triple fusion? Where and how does it take place? Name the nuclei involved in triple fusion.
Answer:
Triple fusion is the fusion of the male gamete with two polar nuclei inside the embryo sac of the angiosperm. This process of fusion takes place inside the embryo sac.

When pollen grains fall on the stigma, they germinate and give rise to the pollen tube that passes through the style and enters into the ovule. After this, the pollen tube enters one of synergids and releases two male gametes there.

Out of the two male gametes, one gamete fuses with the nucleus of the egg cell and forms the zygote (syngamy). The other male gamete fuses with the two polar nuclei present in the central cell to form a triploid primary endosperm nucleus. Since this process involves the fusion of three haploid nuclei, it is known as triple fusion. It results in the formation of the endosperm.
One male gamete nucleus and two polar nuclei are involved in this process.

Question 12.
Why do you think the zygote is dormant for sometime in a fertilised ovule?
Answer:
The zygote is formed by the fusion of the male gamete with the nucleus of the egg cell. The zygote remains dormant for some time and waits for the endosperm to form, which develops from the primary endosperm cell resulting from triple fusion. The endosperm provides food for the growing embryo and after the formation of the endosperm, further development of the embryo from the zygote starts.

Question 13.
Differentiate between:
(a) hypocotyl and epicotyl;
(b) coleoptile and coleorrhiza;
(c) integument and testa;
(d) perisperm and pericarp.
Answer:
(a)

(b)

(c)

(d) Perisperm

Question 14.
Why is apple called a false fruit? Which part(s) of the flower forms the fruit?
Answer:
Fruits derived from the ovary and other accessory floral parts are called false fruits. On the contrary, true fruits are those fruits which develop from the ovary, but do not consist of the thalamus or any other floral part. In an apple, the fleshy receptacle forms the main edible part. Hence, it is a false fruit.

Question 15.
What is meant by emasculation? When and why does a plant breeder employ this technique?
Answer:
Emasculation is the process of removing anthers from bisexual flowers without affecting the female reproductive part (pistil), which is used in various plant hybridisation techniques.

Emasculation is performed by plant breeders in bisexual flowers to obtain the desired variety of a plant by crossing a particular plant with the desired pollen grain. To remove the anthers, the flowers are f covered with a bag before they open. This ensures that the flower is pollinated by pollen grains obtained from desirable varieties only. Later, the mature, viable, and stored pollen grains are dusted on the
bagged stigma by breeders to allow artificial pollination to take place and obtain the desired plant variety.

Question 16.
If one can induce parthenocarpy through the application of growth substances, which fruits would you select to induce parthenocarpy and why?
Answer:
Parthenocarpy is the process of developing fruits without involving the process of fertilisation or seed formation. Therefore, the seedless varieties of economically important fruits such as orange, lemon, water melon etc. are produced using this technique. This technique involves inducing fruit formation by the application of plant growth hormones such as auxins.

Question 17.
Explain the role of tapetum in the formation of pollen-grain wall.
Answer:
Tapetum is the innermost layer of the microsporangium. It provides nourishment to the developing pollen grains. During microsporogenesis, the cells of tapetum produce various enzymes, hormones, amino acids, and other nutritious material required for the development of pollen grains. It also produces the exine layer of the pollen grains, which is composed of the sporopollenin.

Question 18.
What is apomixis and what is its importance?
Answer:
Apomixis is the mechanism of seed production without involving the process of meiosis and syngamy. It plays an important role in hybrid seed production. The method of producing hybrid seeds by cultivation is very expensive for farmers. Also, by sowing hybrid seeds, it is difficult to maintain hybrid characters as characters segregate during meiosis. Apomixis prevents the loss of specific characters in the hybrid. Also, it is a cost-effective method for producing seeds.

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Biology Book Solutions Chapter 16 Environmental Issues Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 12 Biology Chapter 16 Environmental Issues

PSEB 12th Class Biology Guide Environmental Issues Textbook Questions and Answers

Question 1.
What are the various constituents of domestic sewage? Discuss the effects of sewage discharge on a river.
Answer:
Domestic sewage is the waste originating from the kitchen, toilet, laundry, and other sources. It contains impurities such as suspended solid (sand, salt, clay), colloidal, material (faecal matter, bacteria, plastic and cloth fibre), dissolved materials (nitrate, phosphate, calcium, sodium, ammonia), and disease-causing microbes. When organic wastes from the sewage enter the water bodies, it serves as a food source for micro-organisms such as algae and bacteria. As a result, the population of these micro-organisms in the water body increases.

Here, they utilise most of the dissolved oxygen for their metabolism. This results in an increase in the levels of Biological oxygen demand (BOD) in river water and results in the death of aquatic organisms. Also, the nutrients in the water lead to the growth of planktonic algal, causing algal bloom. This causes deterioration of water quality and fish mortality.

Question 2.
List all the wastes that you generate, at home, school or during your trips to other places. Could you very easily reduce the generation of these wastes? Which would be difficult or rather impossible to reduce?
Answer:
Wastes generated at home include plastic bags, paper napkins, toiletries, kitchen wastes (such as peelings of vegetables and fruits, tea leaves), domestic sewage, glass, etc.

Wastes generated at schools include waste paper, plastics, vegetable and fruit peels, food wrappings, sewage etc.
Wastes generated at trips or picnics include plastic, paper, vegetable and fruit peels, disposable cups, plates, spoons etc.

Yes, wastes can be easily reduced by the judicious use of the above materials. Wastage of paper can be minimised by writing on both sides of the paper and by using recycled paper. Plastic and glass waste can also be reduced by recycling and re-using.

Also, substituting plastic bags with biodegradable jute bags can reduce wastes generated at home, school, or during trips. Domestic sewage can be reduced by optimising the use of water while bathing, cooking, and other household activities. Non-biodegradable wastes such as plastic, metal, broken glass, etc. are difficult to decompose because micro-organisms do riot have the ability to decompose them.

Question 3.
Discuss the causes and effects of global warming. What measures need to be taken to control global warming?
Answer:
Global warming is defined as an increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s surface. Causes of Global Warming: Global warming occurs as a result of the increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapour. These gases trap solar radiations released back by the Earth. This helps in keeping our planet warm and thus, helps in human survival. However, an increase in the amount of greenhouse gases can lead to an excessive increase in the Earth’s temperature, leading to global warming. Global warming is a result of industrialisation, burning of fossil fuels, and deforestation.

Effects of Global Warming: It has been observed that in the past three decades, the average temperature of the Earth has increased by 0.6°C. As a result, the natural water cycle has been disturbed resulting in changes in the pattern of rainfall. It also changes the amount of rainwater. Also, it results in the melting of Polar ice caps and mountain glaciers, which has caused a rise in the sea level, leading to the inundation of coastal regions.

Control Measures for Preventing Global Warming:

• Reducing the use of fossil fuels
• Use of bio-fuels
• Improving energy efficiency
• Use of renewable source of energy such as CNG etc.
• Reforestation.
• Recycling of materials

Question 4.
Match the items given in column A and B:

Answer:

Question 5.
Write critical notes on the following:
(a) Eutrophication
(b) Biological magnification
(c) Groundwater depletion and ways for its replenishment
Answer:
(a) Eutrophication:
It is the natural ageing process of a lake caused due to nutrient enrichment. It is brought down by the runoff of nutrients such as animal wastes, fertilisers, and sewage from land which leads to an increased fertility of the lake. As a result, it causes a tremendous increase in the primary productivity of the ecosystem. This leads to an increased growth of algae, resulting, into, algal blooms. Later, the decomposition of these algae depletes the supply of oxygen, leading to the death of other aquatic animal life.

(b) Biological Magnification: Unknowingly some harmful chemicals enter our bodies through the food chain. We use several pesticides and other chemicals to protect our crops from diseases and pests. These chemicals are either washed down into the soil or into the water bodies. From the soil, these are absorbed by the plants along with water and minerals, and from the water bodies, these are taken up by aquatic plants and animals. This is one of the ways in which they enter the food chain. As these chemicals are not degradable, these get accumulated progressively at each trophic level. As human beings occupy the topmost level in any food chain, the maximum concentration of these chemicals get accumulated in our bodies. This phenomenon is known as biological magnification.

(c) Ground Water Depletion and Ways for its Replenishment: The level of groundwater has decreased in the recent years. The source of water supply is rapidly diminishing each year because of an increase in the population and water pollution. To meet the demand of water, water is withdrawn from water bodies such as ponds, rivers etc. As a result, the source of groundwater is depleting.

This is because the amount of groundwater being drawn for human use is more than the amount replaced by rainfall. Lack of vegetation cover also results in very small amounts of water seeping through the ground. An increase in water pollution is another factor that has reduced the availability of groundwater.

Measures for Replenishing Ground Water:

• Preventing over-exploitation of groundwater
• Optimising water use and reducing water demand
• Rainwater harvesting
• Preventing deforestation and plantation of more trees.

Question 6.
Why does ozone hole form over Antarctica? How will enhanced ultraviolet radiation affect us?
Answer:
The ozone hole is more prominent over the region of Antarctica. It is formed due to an increased concentration of chlorine in the atmosphere. Chlorine is mainly released from chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) widely used as refrigerants. The CFC’s magnate from the troposphere to the stratosphere, where they release chlorine atoms by the action of UV rays on them.

The release of Chlorine atoms causes the conversion of ozone into molecular oxygen. One atom of chlorine can destroy around 10,000 molecules of ozone and causes ozone depletion. The formation of the ozone hole will result in an increased concentration of UV – B radiations on the Earth’s surface. UV -B damages DNA and activates the process of skin ageing. It also causes skin darkening and skin cancer. High levels of UV -B cause corneal cataracts in human beings.

Question 7.
Discuss the role of women and communities in protection and conservation of forests.
Answer:
Women and communities have played a major role in environmental conservation movements.
(i) Case Study of the Bishnoi Community: The Bishnoi community in Rajasthan strictly believes in the concept of living peacefully with nature. In 1731, the king of Jodhpur ordered his ministers to arrange wood for the construction of his new palace. For this purpose, the minister and 1116 workers went to Bishnoi village.

There, a Bishnoi woman called Amrita Devi along with her daughter and hundreds of other Bishnois showed the courage to step forward and stop them from cutting trees. They embraced the trees and lost their lives at the hands of soldiers of the king. This resistance by the people of the village forced the king to give up the idea of cutting trees.

(ii) Chipko Movement: The Chipko movement was started in 1974 in the Garhwal region of the Himalayas. In this movement, the women from the village stopped the contractors from cutting forest trees by embracing them.

Question 8.
What measures, as an individual, would you take to reduce environmental pollution?
Answer:
The following initiatives can be taken to prevent environmental pollution:
Measures for Preventing Air Pollution

• Planting more trees
• Use of clean and renewable energy sources such as CNG and bio-fuels
• Reducing the use of fossil fuels
• Use of catalytic converters in automobiles

Measures for Preventing Water Pollution:

• Optimising the use of water
• Using kitchen wastewater in gardening and other household purposes

Measures for Controlling Noise Pollution:

• Avoid burning crackers on Diwali
• Plantation of more trees

Measures for Decreasing Solid Waste Generation:

• Segregation of waste
• Recycling and reuse of plastic and paper
• Composting of biodegradable kitchen waste
• Reducing the use of plastics.

Question 9.
Discuss briefly the following:
(a) Radioactive wastes
(b) Defunct ships and e-wastes
(c) Municipal solid Wastes
Answer:
(a) Radioactive Wastes: Radioactive wastes are generated during the process of generating nuclear energy from radioactive materials. Nuclear waste is rich in radioactive materials that generate large quantities of ionising radiations such as gamma rays. These rays cause mutation in organisms, which often results in skin cancer. At high dosage, these rays can be lethal.

Safe disposal of radioactive wastes is a big challenge. It is recommended that nuclear wastes should be stored after pre-treatment in suitable shielded containers, which should then be buried in rocks.

(b) Defunct Ships and E-wastes: Defunct ships are dead ships that are no longer in use. Such ships are broken down for scrap metal in countries such as India and Pakistan. These ships are a source of various toxicants such as asbestos, lead, mercury etc. Thus, they contribute to solid* wastes that are hazardous to health.

E-waste or electronic wastes generally include electronic goods such as computers etc. Such wastes are rich in metals such as copper, iron, silicon, gold etc. These metals are highly toxic and pose serious health hazards. People of developing countries are involved in the recycling process of these metals and therefore, get exposed to toxic substances present in these wastes.

(c) Municipal Solid Wastes: Municipal solid wastes are generated from schools, offices, homes, and stores. It is generally rich in glass, metal, paper waste, food, rubber, leather, and textiles. The open dumps of municipal wastes serve as a breeding ground for flies, mosquitoes, and other disease-causing microbes. Hence, it is necessary to dispose of municipal solid waste properly to prevent the spreading of diseases. Sanitary landfills and incineration are the methods for the safe disposal of solid wastes.

Question 10.
What initiatives were taken for reducing vehicular air pollution in Delhi? Has air quality improved in Delhi?
Answer:
Delhi has been categorised as the fourth most polluted city of the world in a list of 41 cities. Burning of fossil fuels has added to the pollution of air in Delhi.
Various steps have been taken to improve the quality of air in Delhi.

(a) Introduction of CNG (Compressed Natural Gas): By the order of the supreme court of India, CNG-powered vehicles were introduced at the end of year 2006 to reduce the levels of pollution in Delhi. CNG is a clean fuel that produces very little unburnt particles.
(b) Phasing out of old vehicles
(c) Use of unleaded petrol
(d) Use of low-sulphur petrol and diesel
(e) Use of catalytic converters
(f) Application of stringent pollution-level norms for vehicles
(g) Implementation of Bharat stage I, which is equivalent to euro II norms in vehicles of major Indian cities.

The introduction of CNG-powered vehicles has improved Delhi’s air quality, which has lead to a substantial fall in the level of CO₂ and SO₂. However, the problem of suspended particulate matter (SPM) and respiratory suspended particulate matter,(RSPM) still persists.

Question 11.
Discuss briefly the following:
(a) Greenhouse gases
(b) Catalytic converter
(c) Ultraviolet B
Answer:
(a) Greenhouse Gases: The greenhouse effect refers to an overall increase in the average temperature of the Earth due to the presence of greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases mainly consist of carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapour. When solar radiations reach the Earth, some of these radiations are absorbed.

These absorbed radiations are Released back into the atmosphere. These radiations are trapped by the greenhouse gases present in the atmosphere. This helps in keeping our planet warm and thus, helps in human survival.
However, an increase in the amount of greenhouse gases can lead to an excessive increase in the Earth’s temperature, thereby causing global warming.

(b) Catalytic Converter: Catalytic converters are devices fitted in automobiles to reduce automobile or vehicle pollution. These devices contain expensive metals such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium that act as catalysts.
As the vehicular discharge -passes through the catalytic converter, the unburnt hydrocarbons present in it get converted into carbon dioxide and water. Carbon monoxide and nitric oxide released by catalytic converters are converted into carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas respectively.

(c) Ultraviolet B: Ultraviolet-B is an electromagnetic radiation which has a shorter wavelength than visible light.
It is a harmful radiation that comes from sunlight and penetrates through the ozone hole onto the Earth’s surface.
It induces many health hazards in humans. UV -B damages DNA and activates the process of skin ageing. It also causes skin darkening and skin cancer. High levels of UV -B cause corneal cataracts in human beings.

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Biology Book Solutions Chapter 1 Reproduction in Organisms Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 12 Biology Chapter 1 Reproduction in Organisms

PSEB 12th Class Biology Guide Reproduction in Organisms Textbook Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Why is reproduction essential for organisms?
Answer:
Reproduction is a fundamental feature of all living organisms. It is a biological process through which living organisms produce offsprings (young ones) similar to them. Reproduction ensures the continuance of various species on the Earth. In the absence of reproduction, the species will not be able to exist for a long time and may soon get extinct.

Question 2.
Which is a better mode of reproduction sexual or asexual? Why?
Answer:
Sexual reproduction is a better mode of reproduction. It allows the formation of new variants by the combination of the DNA from two different individuals, typically one of each sex. It involves the fusion of the male and the female gamete to produce variants, which are not identical to their parents and to themselves. This variation allows the individual to adapt constantly changing and challenging environment. Also, it leads to the evolution of better suited organisms which ensures greater survival of a species. On the contrary, asexual reproduction allows very little or no variation at all. As a result, the individuals produced are exact copies of their parents and themselves.

Question 3.
Why is the offspring formed by asexual reproduction referred to as clone?
Answer:
A clone is a group of morphologically and genetically identical individuals. In the process of asexual reproduction, only one parent is involved and there is no fusion of the male and the female gamete. As a result, the offsprings so produced are morphologically and genetically similar to their parents and are thus, called clones.

Question 4.
Offspring formed due to sexual reproduction have better chances of survival. Why? Is this statement always true?
Answer:
Sexual reproduction involves the fusion of the male and the female gamete. This fusion allows the formation of new variants by the combination of the DNA from two (usually) different members of the species. The variations allow the individuals to adapt under varied environmental conditions for better chances of survival.

However, it is not always necessary that the offspring produced due to sexual reproduction has better chances of survival. Under some circumstances, asexual reproduction is more advantageous for certain organisms. For example, some individuals who do not move from one place to another and are well settled in their environment. Also, asexual reproduction is a fast and’ a quick mode of reproduction which does not consume much time and energy as compared to sexual reproduction.

Question 5.
How does the progeny formed from asexual reproduction differ from those formed by sexual reproduction?
Answer:

Question 6.
Distinguish between asexual and sexual reproduction. Why is
vegetative reproduction also considered as a type of asexual reproduction?
Answer:

Vegetative reproduction is a process in which new plants are obtained without the production of seeds or spores. It involves the propagation of plants through certain vegetative parts such as the rhizome, sucker, tuber, bulb, etc. It does not involve the fusion of the male and the female gamete and requires only one parent. Hence, vegetative reproduction is considered as a type of asexual reproduction.

Question 7.
What is vegetative propagation? Give two suitable examples.
Answer:
Vegetative propagation is a mode of asexual reproduction in which new plants are obtained from the vegetative parts of plants. It does not involve the production of seeds or spores for the propagation of new plants. Vegetative parts of plants such as runners, rhizomes, suckers, tubers, etc. can be used as propagules for raising new plants.

Examples of vegetative reproduction are given below:
1. Eyes of potato: The surface of a potato has several buds called eyes. Each of these buds when buried in soil develops into a new plant, which is identical to the parent plant.

2. Leaf buds of Bryophyllum: The leaves of Bryophyllum plants bear several adventitious buds on their margins. These leaf buds have the ability to grow and develop into tiny plants when the leaves get detached from the plant and come in contact with moist soil.

Question 8.
Define:
(a) Juvenile phase,
(b) Reproductive phase,
(c) Senescent phase.
Answer:
(a) Juvenile Phase: All organisms have to reach a certain stage of growth and maturity in their life, before they can be reproduce sexually. This phase of growth is called the juvenile phase or vegetative phase in plants.

(b) Reproductive Phase: When the juvenile phase is over the organisms enter the period of reproductive phase or sexual maturity. It is indicated by showing various morphological and physiological changes such as development of secondary sexual characters in animals and by flowering in plants. This is the actual period of the life span of any organism when it is capable of producing offsprings. This phase is of variable duration in different organisms.

(c) Senescent Phase : This is the final and third stage of growth cycle. It can be considered as the end of reproductive phase. It is accompanied by reduction in functional capacity and increase in cellular break down and metabolic failures. It ultimately leads to death.

Question 9.
Higher organisms have resorted to sexual reproduction in spite of its complexity. Why?
Answer:
Although sexual reproduction involves more time and energy, higher organisms have resorted to sexual reproduction in spite of its complexity. This is because this mode of reproduction helps introduce new variations in progenies through the combination of the DNA from two (usually) different individuals. These variations allow the individual to cope with various environmental conditions and thus, make the organism better suited for the environment. Variations also lead to the evolution of better organisms and therefore, provide better chances of survival. On the other hand, asexual reproduction does not provide genetic differences in the individuals produced.

Question 10.
Explain why meiosis and gametogenesis are always interlinked?
Answer:
Meiosis is a process of reductional division in which the amount of genetic material is reduced. Gametogenesis is the process of the formation of gametes. Gametes produced by organisms are haploids (containing only one set of chromosomes), while the body of an organism is diploid. Therefore, for producing haploid gametes (gametogenesis), the germ cells of an organism undergo meiosis. During the process, the meiocytes of an organism undergo two successive nuclear and cell divisions with a single cycle of DNA replication to form the haploid gametes.

Question 11.
Identify each part in a flowering plant and write whether it is haploid (n) or diploid (2n).
(a) Ovary …………………………
(b) Anther ……………………..
(c) Egg ………………………….
(d) Pollen ……………………..
(e) Male gamete ……………….
(f) Zygote ………………..
Answer:
(a) diploid (2n)
(b) diploid (2n)
(c) haploid (n)
(d) haploid (n)
(e) haploid (n)
(f) diploid (2n)

Question 12.
Define external fertilisation. Mention its disadvantages.
Answer:
External fertilisation is the process in which the fusion of the male and the female gamete takes place outside the female body in an external medium, generally water. Fish, frog, starfish are some organisms that exhibit external fertilisation.

Disadvantages of external fertilisation
In external fertilisation, eggs have less chances of fertilisation. This can lead to the wastage of a large number of eggs produced during the process.
Further, there is an absence of proper parental care to the offspring, which results in a low rate of survival in the progenies.

Question 13.
Differentiate between a zoospore and a zygote.
Answer:

Question 14.
Differentiate between gametogenesis from embryogenesis.
Answer:

Question 15.
Describe the post-fertilisation changes in a flower.
Answer:
As a result of double fertilisation in flowering plants, zygote (2n) and the primary endosperm nucleus (3n) is produced. The calyx, corolla, stamens and style wither away. The calyx may persist or even show growth in certain cases. The post fertilisation changes which take place are

• Endosperm formation
• Embryo formation
• Seed formation and
• Fruit formation.

The primary endosperm nucleus becomes active and forms a nutritive vegetative tissue. The endosperm at the expense of food present in the nucellus, Endosperm may be completely used up by the developing embryo (non-endospermic seeds e.g., pea) or may persist in the seed (endospermic seed e.g., castor). The zygote, waits for sometime till the formation of endosperm and then develops into embryo, by withdrawing nutrition from the endosperm. Ultimately the ovules are transformed into seeds and the ovary becomes a fruit. The formation of fruit helps in the nourishment and protection to the developing seeds and later helps in seed dispersal. Under favourable conditions the seeds germinate to form new plants.

Question 16.
What is a bisexual flower? Collect five bisexual flowers from your neighbourhood and with the help of your teacher find out their common and scientific names.
Answer:
A flower that contains both the male and female reproductive structure (stamen and pistil) is called a bisexual flower.
Examples of plants bearing bisexual flowers are:

1. Water lily {Nymphaea odorata)
2. Rose (Rosa multiflora)
3. Hibiscus (Hibiscus Rosa-sinensis)
4. Mustard (Brassica nigra)
5. Petunia (Petunia hybrida)

Question 17.
Examine a few flowers of any cucurbit plant and try to identify the staminate and pistillate flowers. Do you know any other plant that hears unisexual flowers?
Answer:
Cucurbit plant bears unisexual flowers as these flowers have either the stamen or the pistil. The staminate flowers bear bright, yellow coloured petals along with stamens that represent the male reproductive structure. On the other hand, the pistillate flowers bear only the pistil that represents the female reproductive structure.
Other examples of plants that bear unisexual flowers are corn, papaya, cucumber, etc.

Question 18.
Why are offspring of oviparous animals at a greater risk as compared to offspring of viviparous animals?
Answer:
Oviparous animals lay eggs outside their body. As a result, the eggs of these animals are under continuous threat from various environmental factors. On the other hand, in viviparous animals, the development of the egg takes place inside the body of the female. Hence, the offspring of an egg-laying or oviparous animal is at greater risk as compared to the offspring of a viviparous animal, which gives birth to its young ones.

Punjab State Board PSEB 11th Class Biology Book Solutions Chapter 12 Mineral Nutrition Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 12 Mineral Nutrition

PSEB 11th Class Biology Guide Mineral Nutrition Textbook Questions and Answers

Question 1.
‘All elements that are present in a plant need not be essential to its survival’. Comment.
Answer:
All elements that are present in a plant need not be essential to its survival because they do not directly involved in the composition of their body. However, if the concentration of micronutrients such as Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cl, etc., rise above their critical values, they appear to be toxic for the plant.

Question 2.
Why is purification of water and nutrient salts so important in studies involving mineral nutrition using hydroponics?
Answer:
It is to know the essentiality of a mineral element in the life cycle of a plant. Further, it helps in improving the deficiency symptoms of the plants. The nutrient solution must be adequetly aerated to obtain the optimal growth.

Question 3.
Explain with examples : macronutrients, micronutrients, beneficial nutrients, toxic elements and essential elements.
Answer:
(i) Macronutrients: These are generally present in plant tissues in large amount (in excess 10 m mole kg’1 of dry matter). The macronutrients include carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur, potassium, calcium and magnesium.

(ii) Micronutrients: Micronutrients or trace elements, are needed in very small amount (less than 10m mole kg~: of dry matter). These include iron, manganese, copper, molybdenum, zinc, boron, chlorine and nickel.

(iii) Beneficial Nutrients: The elements which are not essential for plants, but their presence are beneficial for the growth and development. Such, elements are called beneficial elements.

(iv) Toxic Elements: Any mineral ion concentration in tissues, that reduces the dry weight of tissues by about 10 % is considered toxic. For example, Mn inhibit the absorption of other elements.

(v) Essential Elements: The macronutrients including carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur, potassium, calcium and magnesium, which are require directly for the growth and metabolism of the plants and whose deficiency produces certain symptoms in the plants are known as essential elements.

Question 4.
Name at least five different deficiency symptoms in plants. Describe them and correlate them with the concerned mineral deficiency.
Answer:
The kind of deficiency symptoms shown in plants include chlorosis, necrosis, stunted plant growth, premature fall of leaves and buds, and inhibition of cell division.

• Chlorosis is the loss of chlorophyll leading to yellowing in leaves. This symptom is caused by the deficiency of elements N, K, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn and Mo.
• Necrosis or death of tissue, particularly leaf tissue, is due to the deficiency of Ca, Mg, Cu, K.
• Lack or low level of N, K, S, Mo causes an inhibition of cell division.
• Some elements like N, S, Mo delay flowering if their concentration in plants is low.

Question 5.
If a plant shows a symptom which could develop due to deficiency of more than one nutrient, how would you find out experimentally, the real deficient mineral element?
Answer:
Every element shows certain characteristic deficiency symptoms in the plants. The deficiency of any one element cannot be met by supplying some other element. So, by absorbing the type of deficiency symptom, we can determine the real deficient mineral element.

Question 6.
Why is that in certain plants deficiency symptoms appear first in younger parts of the plant, while in others they do so in mature organs?
Answer:
For elements that are actively mobilised within the plants and exported to young developing tissues, the deficiency symptoms tend to appear first in the older tissues. For example, the deficiency symptoms of nitrogen, potassium and magnesium are visible first in the senescent leaves. In the older leaves, biomolecules containing these elements are broken down, making these elements available for mobilising to younger leaves.

The deficiency symptoms tend to appear first in the young tissues, whenever the elements are relatively immobile and are not transported out of the mature organs. For example, elements like sulphur and calcium are a part of the structural component of the cell and hence are not easily released.

Question 7.
How are the minerals absorbed by the plants?
Answer:
Mechanism of Absorption of Minerals: The process of absorption can occur into following two main phases :
(i) In the first phase, an initial rapid uptake of ions into the ‘free space’ or ‘outer space’ of cells the apoplast is passive.

(ii) In the second phase of uptake, the ions are taken in slowly into the ‘inner space’ the symplast of the cells. The passive movement of ions into the apoplast usually occurs through ion-channels, the trans-membrane proteins that function as selective pores. On the other hand, the entry or exit of ions to and from the symplast requires the expenditure of metabolic energies. The movement of ions is usually called the inward movement into the cells is influx and the outward movement, efflux.

Question 8.
What are the conditions necessary for fixation of atmospheric nitrogen by Rhizobium ? What is their role in Nitrogen-fixation?
Answer:
The first essential condition for nitrogen fixation is legume-bacteria relationship. Rhizobium bacteria cause nodule formation for this association. The enzyme nitrogenase is highly sensitive to the molecular oxygen. The nodules protect these enzymes by an oxygen scavenger called leghaerrloglobin.
Rhizobium bacteria are free living in soil. They are symbionts, which can fix atmospheric nitrogen for plants.

Question 9.
What are the steps involved in formation of a root nodule?
Answer:
Steps in Nodule Formation: Nodule formation involves a sequence of multiple interactions between Rhizobium and roots of the host plant. Principal stages in the nodule formation are given below:

• Rhizobia multiply and colonise the surroundings of roots and get attached to epidermal and root hair cells.
• The root-hairs curl and the bacteria invade the root-hair.
• An infection thread is produced carrying the bacteria into the cortex of the root, where they initiate the nodule formation in the cortex of the root. Then the bacteria are released from the thread into the cells which leads to the differentiation of specialised nitrogen fixing cells.
• The nodule thus formed, establishes a direct vascular connection with the host for exchange of nutrients.

Question 10.
Which of the following statements are true? If false, correct them:
(a) Boron deficiency leads to stout axis.
(b) Every mineral element that is present in a cell is needed by the cell.
(c) Nitrogen as a nutrient element, is highly immobile in the plants.
(d) It is very easy to establish the essentiality of micronutrients because they are required only in trace quantities.
Answer:
(a) True
(b) All the mineral elements present in a cell are not needed by the cell. For example, plants growing near radioactive mining sites tend to accumulate large amounts of radioactive compounds. These compounds are not essential for the plants.

(c) Nitrogen as a nutrient element is highly mobile in plants. It can be mobilised from the old and mature parts of a plant to its younger parts.
(d) True

Punjab State Board PSEB 11th Class Biology Book Solutions Chapter 13 Photosynthesis in Higher Plants Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 13 Photosynthesis in Higher Plants

PSEB 11th Class Biology Guide Photosynthesis in Higher Plants Textbook Questions and Answers

Question 1.
By looking at a plant externally can you tell whether a plant is C₃ or C₄? Why and how?
Answer:
Usually plants growing in dry conditions use C₄-pathways. It cannot be said conclusively, if the plant is a C₃ or C₄ by looking at external appearance.

Question 2.
By looking at which internal structure of a plant can you tell whether a plant is C₃ or C₄? Explain.
Answer:
The particularly large cells around the vascular bundles of the C₄– pathway plants are called bundle sheath cells and the leaves, which have such anatomy are said to have ‘Kranz’ anatomy.
‘Kranz’ means ‘wreath’ and is a reflection of the arrangement of cells.
The bundle sheath cells may form several layers around the vascular bundles they are characterised by having a large number of chloroplasts, thick walls impervious to gaseous exchange and no intercellular spaces.

Question 3.
Even though a very few cells in a C₄ plant carry out the biosynthetic-Calvin pathway, yet they are highly productive. Can you discuss why?
Answer:
The productivity of a plant is measured by the rate at which it photosynthesizes. The amount of carbon dioxide present in a plant is directly proportional to the rate of photosynthesis. C₄ plants have a mechanism for increasing the concentration of carbon dioxide. In C₄ plants, the Calvin cycle occurs in the bundle-sheath cells.

The C₄ compound (malic acid) from the mesophyll cells is broken down in the bundle sheath cells. As a result, CO₂ is released. The increase in CO₂ ensures that the enzyme RuBisCo does not act as an oxygenase, but as a carboxylase.
This prevents photorespiration and increases the rate of photosynthesis. Thus, C₄ plants are highly productive.

Question 4.
RuBisCO is an enzyme that acts both as a carboxylase and oxygenase. Why do you think RuBisCO carries out more carboxylation in C₄ -plants?
Answer:
RuBisCO has a much greater affinity for CO₂ than for O₂. It is the relative concentration of O₂ and CO₂ that determines which of the two will bind to the enzyme. In C₄ -plants some O₂ does bind to RuBisCO and hence, CO₂ fixation is decreased. Here the RuBP instead of being converted to two molecules of PGA binds with O₂ to form one molecule and phosphoglycolate in a pathway called photorespiration.

In the photorespiratory pathway, there is neither synthesis of sugars, nor of ATP. Rather it results in the release of CO₂ with the utilization of ATP. in the photorespiratory pathway, there is no synthesis of ATP or NADPH. Therefore, photorespiration is a wasteful process.

In C₄-plants, photorespiration does not occur. This is because they have a mechanism that increases the concentration of CO₂ at the enzyme site. This takes place when the C₄ acid from the mesophyll is broken down in the bundle cells to release CO₂, this results in increasing the intracellular concentration of CO₂. In turn, this ensures that the RuBisCO functions as a carboxylase minimizing the oxygenase activity.

Question 5.
Suppose there were plants that had a high concentration of chlorophyll-b but lacked chlorophyll a, would it carry out
photosynthesis? Then why do plants have chlorophyll-b and other accessory pigments?
Answer:
‘Though chlorophyll is the major pigment responsible for trapping light, other thylakoid pigments like chlorophyll-b, xanthophylls and carotenoids, which are called accessory pigments, also absorb light and transfer the energy to chlorophyll-a. Indeed, they not only enable a wider range of wavelengths of incoming light to be utilized for photosynthesis but also protect chlorophyll-a from photo-oxidation.

Question 6.
Why is the colour ola leaf kept n the dark frequently yellow or pale green? Which pigment do you think is more stable?
Answer:
This is due to the interconversion of pigments, i.e., change of green chlorophyll pigment into yellow-colored carotenoids. The carotene pigment is more stable.

Question 7.
Look at leaves of the same plant on the shady side and compare it with the leaves on the sunny side. Or, compare the potted plants kept in the sunlight with those in the shade. Which of them has leaves that are darker green? Why?
Answer:
The leaves of the same plant on the sunny side are dark green as compare it with the leaves on the sunny side due to more chlorophyll pigment.

Question 8.
Figure shows the effect of light on the rate of photosynthesis. Based on the graph, answer the following questions:
(a) At which point/s (A, B or C) in the curve is light a limiting factor?
(b) What could be the limiting factor/s in region A?
(c) What do C and D represent on the curve?

Answer:
(a) Points K-C of the curve, the rate did not increase with an increase in its concentration because under these conditions, light becomes limiting factor.

(b) The rate of photosynthesis shows proportionate increase upto a certain CO₂ concentration (In region A of the curve), beyond which the rate again hcomes constant, not showing any increase by increasing CO₂ concentration.

(c) lithe light inrensiry is doubled, i.e., the plants are exposed to 2 units of light, CO₂ concentration again becomes limiting factor beyond this concentration (Points C and D represent on the curve.)

Question 9.
Give comparison between the following:
(a) C₃ and C₄ pathways
(b) Cyclic and non-cyclic photophosphorylation
(c) Anatomy of leaf in C₃ and C₄ plants
Answer:
(a) Comparison between C₃ and C₄ pathways

(b) Comparison between cyclic and non-cyclic photophosphorylation

(C) Comparison between C₃ and C₄ leaves.