Time: 3 Hours | Full Marks: 70 | Pass Marks: 28
UNIT-I
Question 1(a) [2 Marks]
Give two examples of inflorescence.
Racemose: Where the main axis continues to grow and flowers are borne laterally in acropetal succession (e.g., Mustard).
Cymose: Where the main axis terminates in a flower and has limited growth (e.g., Solanum).
Question 1(b) [2 Marks]
Write a brief note on aestivation.
Aestivation: The mode of arrangement of sepals or petals in a floral bud with respect to other members of the same whorl.
Common types include Valvate (edges touch), Twisted (one edge overlaps next), and Imbricate (irregular overlapping).
Question 1(c) [2 Marks]
Give two examples of aerial modified stems.
Tendrils: Spirally coiled structures helping in climbing (e.g., Grapes).
Phylloclade: Green, flattened or cylindrical stems performing photosynthesis (e.g., Opuntia).
Question 2(a) [10 Marks]
Describe the different types of modified stems with suitable examples and necessary diagrams.
Stems are modified to perform diverse functions like storage, support, and protection.
1. Underground Modifications (Storage)
Tuber: Swollen tip of underground branch (e.g., Potato).
Rhizome: Prostrate, thick stem growing horizontally (e.g., Ginger).
Bulb: Highly reduced stem surrounded by fleshy leaves (e.g., Onion).
2. Sub-aerial Modifications (Vegetative Propagation)
Runner: Creeps on the ground (e.g., Grass).
Offset: Found in aquatic plants (e.g., Pistia).
3. Aerial Modifications
Thorns: Hard, woody, pointed structures for protection (e.g., Citrus).
Cladode: A phylloclade with limited growth (e.g., Asparagus).
Question 2(b) [10 Marks]
Describe the structure and types of fruits and seeds with necessary diagrams and suitable examples.
Fruits: A matured or ripened ovary developed after fertilization.
Simple Fruits: Develop from a single carpel (e.g., Mango/Drupe).
Aggregate Fruits: Develop from polycarpellary apocarpous ovary (e.g., Custard apple).
Composite Fruits: Develop from the entire inflorescence (e.g., Pineapple).
Seeds: The fertilized, matured ovule.
Dicotyledonous: Two cotyledons (e.g., Pea, Gram).
Monocotyledonous: Single cotyledon (e.g., Maize, Rice).
Structure includes the seed coat (testa and tegmen) and the embryo (radicle and plumule).
UNIT-II
Question 3(a) [2 Marks]
Write a note on identification and nomenclature.
Identification: The process of determining that a particular plant belongs to a recognized group (taxon).
Nomenclature: The naming of plants according to a standardized system (ICN).
Question 4(a) [10 Marks]
Discuss the roles of morphology, palynology and phytochemistry in solving taxonomic problems.
Morphology: Traditional basis of taxonomy; uses external features like leaf shape and floral structure.
Palynology: The study of pollen grains. Shape, size, and apertures of pollen are consistent features used to distinguish families or genera.
Phytochemistry: Uses chemical constituents (alkaloids, flavonoids) to establish evolutionary relationships.
UNIT-III
Question 5(c) [2 Marks]
State the rules of binomial nomenclature.
Biological names are usually in Latin and written in italics.
The first word represents the Genus (capitalized).
The second word represents the specific epithet (lowercase).
When handwritten, they are separately underlined.
UNIT-IV
Question 8(a) [10 Marks]
Give the outline scheme of Engler and Prantl's system of classification of plants.
Describe merits and demerits.
It is a phylogenetic system where plants are arranged from primitive to advanced based on evolutionary complexity.
Merits: It is highly detailed and covers the entire plant kingdom. It recognizes the importance of phylogeny.
Demerits: It considers wind-pollinated (Amentiferae) plants as primitive, which is now considered a derived state.
UNIT-V
Question 9(a) [2 Marks]
Write the distinguishing character of Magnoliaceae.
Presence of large, solitary, bisexual flowers.
Elongated floral axis (torus) with spirally arranged stamens and carpels.
Question 10(a) [10 Marks]
Discuss the range of vegetative and floral characters of Lamiaceae.
Mention two economically important species.
Vegetative: Quadrangular stems, opposite decussate leaves, usually aromatic.
Floral: Verticillaster inflorescence, bilabiate corolla (two-lipped), gynobasic style.
Economic Species: Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi), Mentha arvensis (Mint).
Exam Tips
Always use botanical names in italics or underlined.
Draw floral diagrams for Unit V questions to secure full marks.
Compare classification systems using a table for clarity.
Common Mistakes
Writing the specific epithet with a capital letter.
Confusing phylloclade (stem) with phyllode (leaf).
Answer Presentation Strategy
Start long answers with a clear definition, followed by classified points and labeled diagrams. [span_61](start_span)Conclude with economic importance where applicable.[span_61](end_span)
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