Pollination MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Pollination - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is Wind pollination requires heavy and sticky pollen grain for easy transportation.

Concept:

• Wind pollination, also known as anemophily, is a form of pollination where pollen is distributed by wind.
• This process is common in many grasses and trees, where pollen grains are light and non-sticky so that they can be easily carried by the wind over long distances.

Characteristics of Wind Pollination:

• Light and Non-Sticky Pollen Grains: Necessary for easy transportation by wind currents.
• Well-Exposed Stamens: To ensure pollen is easily dispersed into the wind.
• Large, Often-Feathery Stigmas: To maximize the capture of airborne pollen grains.
• Single Ovule in Each Ovary.
• Numerous Flowers Packed into an Inflorescence: Example is the corn cob with its tassels.
• Wind pollination is common among grasses.

Explanation:

• Cells of sporogenous tissue undergo meiotic division to form microspore tetrad.
  This statement is correct. In the anther of flowering plants, the sporogenous tissue cells undergo meiotic division to produce microspores, which are arranged in tetrads.
• MMC undergoes meiotic division
  This statement is correct. The Megaspore Mother Cell (MMC) undergoes meiotic division to produce four haploid megaspores, one of which usually develops into the female gametophyte or embryo sac.
• The method of embryo sac formation from a single megaspore is monosporic development.
  This statement is correct. Monosporic development refers to the formation of the embryo sac from a single functional megaspore following meiosis of the megaspore mother cell.
• Wind pollination requires heavy and sticky pollen grain for easy transportation.
  This statement is incorrect. For wind pollination to be effective, pollen grains should be light and non-sticky so they can be easily carried by the wind. Heavy and sticky pollen grains are typically associated with animal pollination, where they adhere to the bodies of pollinators.

The correct answer is Both Statement I and Statement II are correct

Concept:

• Insect-pollinated flowers have evolved specific characteristics to attract insects for pollination.
• These characteristics help ensure the transfer of pollen from one flower to another, facilitating fertilization and the production of seeds.

Explanation:

Statement I: Majority of insect-pollinated flowers are large, colorful, fragrant, and rich in nectar.

• Insect-pollinated flowers, also known as entomophilous flowers, are typically large and colorful. These features make them more visible and attractive to insects.
• Fragrance is another important characteristic. The scent of these flowers helps to attract insects from a distance.
• Nectar, a sugary fluid produced by flowers, serves as a reward for insects. This encourages them to visit the flowers and inadvertently transfer pollen.

Statement II: Animals are attracted to flowers by color and/or fragrance.

• Insects and other pollinators are often drawn to flowers because of their vibrant colors and strong fragrances.
• The color and scent of a flower can signal to insects that nectar is available, thus ensuring that the flower gets visited and pollinated.

The correct answer is Commelina

Explanation:

• In some plants, seed setting can occur even in the absence of pollinating agents, ensuring reproductive success without reliance on external pollinators.
• This phenomenon is often achieved through mechanisms such as self-pollination, cleistogamy (flowers that never open), or apomixis (asexual seed formation).
• Some plants such as Viola (common pansy), Oxalis, and Commelina produce two types of flowers – chasmogamous flowers which are similar to flowers of other species with exposed anthers and stigma, and cleistogamous flowers which do not open at all.
• Commelina, also known as the dayflower, has the ability to set seeds even in the absence of pollinating agents. This is primarily due to its cleistogamous flowers, which are closed and self-pollinate without the need for external pollinators.
• This ensures seed production under conditions where pollinators are absent.

Other Options:

• Salvinia: Salvinia is a genus of floating ferns that reproduce vegetatively through fragmentation rather than through seed formation. 
• Fig: Fig plants (Ficus species) typically rely on a specialized mutualistic relationship with fig wasps for pollination. In the absence of these wasps, seed setting will not take place.
• Zostera: Zostera, commonly known as seagrass, is a marine plant that relies on water currents for pollination. 

The correct answer is Both Statement I and Statement II are correct.

Explanation:

• Cleistogamous Flowers: These are flowers that self-pollinate without opening. This mechanism ensures seed production without the need for external pollinators.
• Oxalis Plants: Oxalis is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as wood sorrels. These plants are known for producing two types of flowers: chasmogamous (open) flowers that are cross-pollinated and cleistogamous (closed) flowers that self-pollinate.

Therefore, both Statements I and II are correct.

The correct answer is option 2.

Concept:

• The process by which the pollen grains shed by the anther reaches the stigma of the flower is called pollination.
• There are different factors that help in pollination such as wind, water, insects like bees, animals, humans, etc.

Explanation:

Vallisneria is an aquatic plant. To understand the kind of pollination in it, let us look at the different types of pollination in aquatic plants:

• Flowers emerge above the water surface, and pollen is carried by the wind or insects
  • This type of pollination occurs in aquatic plants like water hyacinth and water lily.
  • In this kind of pollination, the flowers reach above the surface of the water and pollen grains are either carried by the insects or by the wind.
• Male flowers are carried by water currents to female flowers at the surface of the water
  • In aquatic plants like Vallisneria, the female flower emerges out of the water by means of a long stalk.
  • The male flowers or the pollen grains are shed on the surface of the water and carried to the female flower by passive water currents.
  • Some of the pollen grains eventually reach the stigma of the flower.
• Pollination occurs in submerged conditions by water
  • ​In some aquatic plants like seagrasses, the female flowers remain submerged.
  • The pollen grains are released inside the water.
  • The pollen grains are long, ribbon-like, and are carried by water to the stigma of the flower.

So, the correct answer is option 2.

Concept:  Pollination is defined as the transfer of pollen grains from the anther of a flower to the stigma of a pistil.

Explanation:

Option 1: 

• Among insects, bees are the primary dominant pollinating agents and not the moths and butterflies.
• Therefore, the first option is an incorrect statement.

Option 2: 

• Pollination by water is quite rare in flowering plants and is limited to about 30 genera, mostly monocotyledons.
• This statement is correct.

Option 3:  

• Pollination by wind is more common among abiotic pollinations. 
• Wind pollination is supported by light and non-sticky pollen grains.
• It helps the pollen to get transported in wind currents.
• They often have well-exposed stamens so that the pollens are easily dispersed into wind currents.  
• This statement is correct.

Option 4: 

• The flowers pollinated by flies and beetles secrete foul odors to attract these animals.  This statement is correct.

So, the correct answer is option 1.

Additional Information

• The majority of insect-pollinated flowers are large, colorful, fragrant, and rich in nectar.
• The majority of flowering plants use a range of animals as pollinating agents. Bees, butterflies, flies, beetles, wasps, ants, moths, birds (sunbirds and hummingbirds), and bats are the common pollinating agents.

Concept:

• There are different ways by which the angiospermic pollen grains may be dispersed.
• It may be because of the following reasons: 
  •    Presence of long style
  •    The increased number of ovules per ovary
  • ​   The type of dispersal agent
• In the family Orchidaceae, more than 10,000 ovules per ovary are reported in some case.
• So, in case of Orchidaceae to ensure maximum fertilization of the ovules in the ovary, it has a special Pollen Dispersal Unit (PDU) known as Pollinium (pollinia in plural).​

Important Points

• In the family Orchidaceae, anthers are bithecous.
• Pollen grains of each anther are agglutinated and form a sac like structure called a Pollinium.
• Pollinia of two adjacent anthers are attached by their stalks known as caudicles to a dot like structure called a corpusculum, which is sticky in nature.
• This entire structure is called as a translator apparatus.
• It is a way of dispersal of pollen grains by insects.
• The corpusculum sticks to the body of the insect, therefore enabling pollen dispersion.

• Pollinia ensures that large number of pollen are deposited on the stigma, thus enabling the fertilization of the large numbers of ovules in the flowers of Orchidaceae.

Therefore, pollinium is a characteristic feature of Orchidaceae family.

• Plants use various agents for pollination.
• The agents of pollination may be:
  • Biotic - Living organisms like bees, wasps, butterflies, birds or even small animals like rodents.
  • Abiotic - Non-living agents like wind and water.
• Plants produce morphologically different flowers for different types of pollination.
• Each type of agent requires different features in the pollens to effectively cause pollination.

Important Points

• Wind pollination is the most common among abiotic pollinations.
• Features of wind pollinated flowers:
  • Pollens are light and non-sticky to be carried by wind currents.
  • Stamens are well-exposed so that pollens are easily dispersed by the wind.
  • Stigma is usually large and feathery to trap the pollens from the air.
  • Flowers usually have a single ovule in each ovary and numerous flowers are packed into an inflorescence.
• Example - Corn tassels represent feathery style that wave in the wind to trap pollens.
• It is also common in grasses.

Additional Information

• Water pollination -
  • The flowers use water currents for pollination.
  • Flowers may emerge on to surface to release the pollens which are then carried to the stigma by water currents. E.g.- Vallisneria.
  • In some plants, flowers may remain submerged and release long ribbon-like pollens that have a mucilaginous covering. E.g.- Zostera.
• Biotic pollination -
  • It is carried out by bees, flies, moths, wasps, butterflies, birds, bats or small animals.
  • Pollens are usually sticky or spiny to get stuck to the animal bodies.
  • Flowers are large, colourful and fragrant to attract the agents.
  • Flowers offer floral rewards in the form of nectar so that the agents visit repeatedly.
  • Some flowers may also provide a safe place to lay eggs in return for pollination.
  • Example - Yucca plant provides a place to lay eggs to the moth that pollinates it.

Concept:  Pollination is defined as the transfer of pollen grains from the anther of a flower to the stigma of a pistil.

Explanation:

Option 1: 

• Among insects, bees are the primary dominant pollinating agents and not the moths and butterflies.
• Therefore, the first option is an incorrect statement.

Option 2: 

• Pollination by water is quite rare in flowering plants and is limited to about 30 genera, mostly monocotyledons.
• This statement is correct.

Option 3:  

• Pollination by wind is more common among abiotic pollinations. 
• Wind pollination is supported by light and non-sticky pollen grains.
• It helps the pollen to get transported in wind currents.
• They often have well-exposed stamens so that the pollens are easily dispersed into wind currents.  
• This statement is correct.

Option 4: 

• The flowers pollinated by flies and beetles secrete foul odors to attract these animals.  This statement is correct.

So, the correct answer is option 1.

Additional Information

• The majority of insect-pollinated flowers are large, colorful, fragrant, and rich in nectar.
• The majority of flowering plants use a range of animals as pollinating agents. Bees, butterflies, flies, beetles, wasps, ants, moths, birds (sunbirds and hummingbirds), and bats are the common pollinating agents.

The correct answer is option 2.

Concept:

• The process by which the pollen grains shed by the anther reaches the stigma of the flower is called pollination.
• There are different factors that help in pollination such as wind, water, insects like bees, animals, humans, etc.

Explanation:

Vallisneria is an aquatic plant. To understand the kind of pollination in it, let us look at the different types of pollination in aquatic plants:

• Flowers emerge above the water surface, and pollen is carried by the wind or insects
  • This type of pollination occurs in aquatic plants like water hyacinth and water lily.
  • In this kind of pollination, the flowers reach above the surface of the water and pollen grains are either carried by the insects or by the wind.
• Male flowers are carried by water currents to female flowers at the surface of the water
  • In aquatic plants like Vallisneria, the female flower emerges out of the water by means of a long stalk.
  • The male flowers or the pollen grains are shed on the surface of the water and carried to the female flower by passive water currents.
  • Some of the pollen grains eventually reach the stigma of the flower.
• Pollination occurs in submerged conditions by water
  • ​In some aquatic plants like seagrasses, the female flowers remain submerged.
  • The pollen grains are released inside the water.
  • The pollen grains are long, ribbon-like, and are carried by water to the stigma of the flower.

So, the correct answer is option 2.

The correct answer is Bats.

Key Points

• Chiropterophily is a type of pollination that is carried out by bats.
• Bats are attracted to flowers that are often white or pale in color and emit a strong odor at night.
• During pollination, bats transfer pollen from the male parts of one flower to the female parts of another flower.
• This type of pollination is important for the survival of many plant species, especially those that are found in tropical and desert regions.
• Chiropterophily is a relatively rare form of pollination compared to other methods such as entomophily (pollination by insects) and anemophily (pollination by wind).

Additional Information

• The word "chiropterophily" comes from the Greek word "Chiroptera" meaning "hand-winged" (referring to bats) and "philia" meaning "love of".
• Bats are important pollinators for many fruits such as bananas, guavas, and mangoes, as well as for plants that are used to make tequila and other alcoholic beverages.
• The act of birds pollinating flowering plants is known as ornithophily or bird pollination.
• Pollination carried out by squirrels is called pollination by agents.
• Entomophily is a type of plant pollination in which insects, especially bees, Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths), flies, and beetles, spread pollen.

The correct answer is Commelina

Explanation:

• In some plants, seed setting can occur even in the absence of pollinating agents, ensuring reproductive success without reliance on external pollinators.
• This phenomenon is often achieved through mechanisms such as self-pollination, cleistogamy (flowers that never open), or apomixis (asexual seed formation).
• Some plants such as Viola (common pansy), Oxalis, and Commelina produce two types of flowers – chasmogamous flowers which are similar to flowers of other species with exposed anthers and stigma, and cleistogamous flowers which do not open at all.
• Commelina, also known as the dayflower, has the ability to set seeds even in the absence of pollinating agents. This is primarily due to its cleistogamous flowers, which are closed and self-pollinate without the need for external pollinators.
• This ensures seed production under conditions where pollinators are absent.

Other Options:

• Salvinia: Salvinia is a genus of floating ferns that reproduce vegetatively through fragmentation rather than through seed formation. 
• Fig: Fig plants (Ficus species) typically rely on a specialized mutualistic relationship with fig wasps for pollination. In the absence of these wasps, seed setting will not take place.
• Zostera: Zostera, commonly known as seagrass, is a marine plant that relies on water currents for pollination. 

Concept:

• Pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from the anther to the stigma of a flower.
• Pollination can be divided into 3 types:

1. Autogamy -
   • It is the transfer of pollen grains from the anther to the stigma of the same flower.
   • The anthers and stigma lie close to each other to assure self-pollination.
   • The autogamous flowers can be of 2 types - chasmogamous and cleistogamous.
   • Some plants like Oxalis, Viola and Commelina produce both chasmogamous and cleistogamuos flowers.
2. Geitonogamy -
   • It is the transfer of pollen grains from the anther to the stigma of a different flower of the same plant.
   • It is functionally cross-pollination as pollinating agents are involved.
   • It is genetically self-pollination as both male and female gametes come from the same plant.
   • Example - Maize, Castor.
3. Xenogamy -
   • It is the transfer of pollen grains to the stigma of different plant.
   • It causes genetic variation and is a type of cross-pollination.
   • It is always found in unisexual plants where male and female flowers are borne on different plants.
   • Example - Papaya.

Explanation:

• Statement I: The anthers and stigma are not exposed in chasmogamous flowers.
  • Chasmogamous flowers are those autogamous flowers that have normal flowers with exposed anther and stigma.
  • While, the flowers that do not have exposed anther and stigma are called cleistogamous flowers, which do not open at all.
  • Hence, this statement is incorrect.
• Statement II: Chasmogamous flowers require synchrony in pollen release and pollen receptivity for autogamy to take place.
  • Since chasmogamous flowers have exposed anther and stigma, they have a possibility to get fertilized by pollens from other plants.
  • Therefore, to ensure autogamy the flowers should have pollen release and pollen pollen receptivity at the same time as the stigma matures.
  • This would prevent cross-pollination.
  • Hence, this statement is correct.

So, Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct.

Hence, the correct answer is option (4).

The correct answer is Insect

Concept:

• Pollination is the process of transferring pollen from the male part of a flower (the stamen) to the female part (the pistil).
• Flowers have evolved various characteristics to attract specific pollinators, such as insects, birds, or wind.
• The characteristics of the flower being large, colourful, fragrant, and rich in nectar are typical adaptations to attract insects for pollination.

Explanation:

• Snake: Snakes are not involved in pollination. They do not have the behavior or physical adaptations necessary to transfer pollen between flowers.
• Water: Water pollination, or hydrophily, is common in aquatic plants where pollen is distributed by water currents. This method does not rely on flower characteristics such as color or fragrance.
• Wind: Wind pollination, or anemophily, typically involves flowers that are small, not colorful, and not fragrant, as they do not need to attract pollinators. These flowers produce large quantities of lightweight pollen.
• Insect: Insect pollination, or entomophily, involves flowers that have evolved specific traits to attract insects. These traits include being large, colorful, and fragrant, and producing nectar to reward the insects.

The correct answer is Wind pollination requires heavy and sticky pollen grain for easy transportation.

Concept:

• Wind pollination, also known as anemophily, is a form of pollination where pollen is distributed by wind.
• This process is common in many grasses and trees, where pollen grains are light and non-sticky so that they can be easily carried by the wind over long distances.

Characteristics of Wind Pollination:

• Light and Non-Sticky Pollen Grains: Necessary for easy transportation by wind currents.
• Well-Exposed Stamens: To ensure pollen is easily dispersed into the wind.
• Large, Often-Feathery Stigmas: To maximize the capture of airborne pollen grains.
• Single Ovule in Each Ovary.
• Numerous Flowers Packed into an Inflorescence: Example is the corn cob with its tassels.
• Wind pollination is common among grasses.

Explanation:

• Cells of sporogenous tissue undergo meiotic division to form microspore tetrad.
  This statement is correct. In the anther of flowering plants, the sporogenous tissue cells undergo meiotic division to produce microspores, which are arranged in tetrads.
• MMC undergoes meiotic division
  This statement is correct. The Megaspore Mother Cell (MMC) undergoes meiotic division to produce four haploid megaspores, one of which usually develops into the female gametophyte or embryo sac.
• The method of embryo sac formation from a single megaspore is monosporic development.
  This statement is correct. Monosporic development refers to the formation of the embryo sac from a single functional megaspore following meiosis of the megaspore mother cell.
• Wind pollination requires heavy and sticky pollen grain for easy transportation.
  This statement is incorrect. For wind pollination to be effective, pollen grains should be light and non-sticky so they can be easily carried by the wind. Heavy and sticky pollen grains are typically associated with animal pollination, where they adhere to the bodies of pollinators.