Question 1

Which of the following best explains why leaves generally have a higher surface area to volume ratio ($$SA:V) $$compared to roots?

Accepted Answer

Leaves need to maximize light and CO$$_2$$ absorption for photosynthesis.

Question 2

A botanist discovers a plant with roots growing from its stem above the soil surface, providing extra support. What type of root is this, and what is its likely function?

Accepted Answer

Adventitious prop root; structural support

Question 3

Which of the following cell types is dead at maturity and provides rigid support in areas where growth has ceased?

Accepted Answer

Sclerenchyma cells

Question 4

A plant is growing in a windy environment and develops thicker, more flexible stems. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Phenotypic plasticity

Question 5

Which structure in the leaf is primarily responsible for regulating gas exchange and water loss?

Accepted Answer

Stomata

Question 6

A cross-section of a woody stem reveals a dark inner region and a lighter outer region. What are these regions called, and what is their function?

Accepted Answer

Heartwood (dark, storage/defense) and sapwood (light, water transport)

Question 7

Which of the following best describes the function of sieve tube elements and their companion cells in the phloem?

Accepted Answer

Transport of sugars and signaling molecules, with metabolic support from companion cells

Question 8

A plant is wounded and forms a mass of unorganized cells at the site of injury. Which cell type is responsible for this response, and what is the structure called?

Accepted Answer

Parenchyma; callus

Question 9

Which of the following is a correct sequence of tissue development from the root apical meristem during primary growth?

Accepted Answer

Apical meristem → primary meristems (protoderm, ground meristem, procambium) → mature tissues

Question 10

Which adaptation would you expect to find in a plant living in a nutrient-poor, wet environment, and why?

Accepted Answer

Leaf traps to capture and digest insects for nutrients

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the difference between primary and secondary growth in plants?

Accepted Answer

Primary growth increases length; secondary growth increases girth.

Question 12

A plant’s vascular cambium produces new cells. What is the fate of these cells depending on their position relative to the cambium?

Accepted Answer

Cells to the inside become xylem, cells to the outside become phloem.

Question 13

Which of the following is a function of trichomes on the surface of plant leaves?

Accepted Answer

Preventing water loss and defending against herbivores

Question 14

A plant’s root cap is removed in an experiment. Which of the following outcomes is most likely?

Accepted Answer

The root will lose its ability to sense gravity and be damaged as it grows.

Question 15

Which of the following best explains why only the outer layers of secondary xylem (sapwood) transport water in a mature tree?

Accepted Answer

Inner layers are filled with resins and gums, blocking water movement.

Question 16

Which of the following is a real-world example of phenotypic plasticity in plants?

Accepted Answer

Mangrove roots forming pneumatophores in waterlogged soils for gas exchange.

Question 17

Which of the following equations correctly represents the relationship between surface area ($$SA$$), volume ($$V$$), and the $$SA:V$$ ratio for a cube-shaped cell with side length $$l$$?

Accepted Answer

$$SA = 6l^2$, V$$ = $$l^3$$, $$SA:V = \frac{6l^2$}{l^3$}$$

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the function of plasmodesmata in plant cells?

Accepted Answer

They are channels that allow transport and signaling between cells.

Question 19

A plant is observed to have a thick waxy cuticle and many trichomes on its leaves. In which environment is this plant most likely to be found, and why?

Accepted Answer

A dry desert, to minimize water loss and reflect sunlight.

Plant Form and Function: Roots, Shoots, and Tissue Systems

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards