Crucial Practice Problems for CBSE Class 11 Biology Chapter 5: Morphology of Flowering Plants
FAQs on Important Questions for CBSE Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 - Morphology of Flowering Plants
1. What are the most important topics in Chapter 5, Morphology of Flowering Plants, for the CBSE Class 11 exam 2025-26?
For the Class 11 Biology exam, the highest-scoring and most frequently asked topics from this chapter include:
- Root and Stem Modifications: Focus on modifications for storage, support, and respiration with examples.
- Placentation: Understand all types (marginal, axile, parietal, basal, free central) with labelled diagrams.
- Aestivation: Know the four main types (valvate, twisted, imbricate, vexillary) and their corresponding examples.
- Floral Formula and Diagram: Mastering how to write a floral formula and draw a floral diagram for families like Solanaceae is a very important question type.
- Inflorescence: Differentiating between racemose and cymose is a common 3-mark question.
2. What is the difference between racemose and cymose inflorescence? Which type is typically expected as a 3-mark question?
The key differences between racemose and cymose inflorescence are crucial for exams:
- Main Axis Growth: In a racemose inflorescence, the main axis has indefinite growth and continues to produce flowers laterally. In a cymose inflorescence, the main axis has limited growth as it terminates in a flower.
- Flower Arrangement: Flowers are arranged in an acropetal succession (older flowers at the base, younger ones at the top) in racemose. In cymose, they are in a basipetal succession (older flower at the apex, younger ones at the base).
This differentiation is a classic 3-mark question, and you should be prepared to provide examples for each type (e.g., Mustard for racemose, Jasmine for cymose).
3. Explain the different types of placentation in flowering plants. Why are diagrams important for this question?
Placentation refers to the arrangement of ovules within the ovary. For a 5-mark question, you must describe the following types:
- Marginal: Ovules develop in two rows on the ridge along the ventral suture of the ovary (e.g., Pea).
- Axile: Ovules are attached to a central axis in a multilocular ovary (e.g., China rose, Tomato).
- Parietal: Ovules develop on the inner wall of the ovary or on peripheral parts (e.g., Mustard, Argemone).
- Free Central: Ovules are borne on a central axis, and septa are absent (e.g., Dianthus, Primrose).
- Basal: A single ovule is attached to the base of the ovary (e.g., Sunflower, Marigold).
Diagrams are essential because they clearly illustrate these complex arrangements, and examiners often allocate specific marks for neat, labelled diagrams.
4. Why is the floral formula considered an important summary tool in botany? Construct the floral formula for the Solanaceae family.
A floral formula is a vital tool because it provides a concise, symbolic representation of a flower's structure. It summarises key information like symmetry (actinomorphic/zygomorphic), the number and arrangement of whorls (calyx, corolla, androecium, gynoecium), and the cohesion and adhesion of parts. This makes comparing different plant families efficient and is a very important skill for exams.
The floral formula for the Solanaceae family, as per the CBSE syllabus, is: ⊕ ⚥ K(5) C(5) A5 G(2).
5. From an exam perspective, what are the most important modifications of roots and stems a student must know?
For your Class 11 exams, you should focus on the following modifications and their functions:
- Root Modifications for Storage: Tap roots like fusiform (radish) and conical (carrot), and adventitious roots like tuberous roots (sweet potato).
- Root Modifications for Support: Prop roots in banyan and stilt roots in maize and sugarcane are frequently asked.
- Root Modifications for Respiration: Pneumatophores in Rhizophora are a key example.
- Stem Modifications for Storage: Underground stems like tubers (potato) and rhizomes (ginger).
- Stem Modifications for Support: Stem tendrils which develop from axillary buds (e.g., in gourds).
6. How can a student best use these important questions for Chapter 5 to prepare for their final exams?
To maximise your score using these important questions for Morphology of Flowering Plants, follow this strategy:
- Test Your Knowledge: After thoroughly reading the NCERT chapter, attempt to answer these questions without looking at the solutions to identify your weak areas.
- Practise Diagrams: This chapter is diagram-heavy. Use the questions related to placentation, aestivation, and floral structures as prompts to practise drawing and labelling.
- Focus on Keywords: Pay attention to the bolded terms in the answers. These are keywords that examiners look for.
- Time Management: Practise writing answers for 3-mark and 5-mark questions within a time limit to improve your speed for the final exam.
7. For the CBSE Class 11 Biology exam, is it enough to study only the NCERT textbook for this chapter?
The NCERT textbook is the absolute foundation and is essential for clearing your concepts in Morphology of Flowering Plants. However, to score high marks and understand the type of questions asked, it is highly recommended to supplement your preparation. Solving these important questions helps you:
- Identify recurring exam patterns and high-weightage topics.
- Learn how to frame answers correctly, especially for differentiation and descriptive questions.
- Practise applying concepts, such as writing floral formulas for specific families, which is a key skill tested in exams.











