100 most important General Science (Botany) Questions with Answers for UPSC, SSC, Railways, and other competitive exams:
General Botany
Study of plants?
– Botany
Father of Botany?
– Theophrastus
Study of fungi?
– Mycology
Study of algae?
– Phycology
Study of pollen grains?
– Palynology
Plant that completes its life cycle in one year?
– Annual
Plant that lives for more than two years?
– Perennial
Green pigment in plants?
– Chlorophyll
Gas released during photosynthesis?
– Oxygen
First scientist to observe cells?
– Robert Hooke
Plant Classification
Father of Taxonomy?
– Carolus Linnaeus
Largest group of plants?
– Angiosperms
Plants without flowers?
– Gymnosperms
Plants with naked seeds?
– Gymnosperms
Group of plants including ferns?
– Pteridophytes
Plants with flowers?
– Angiosperms
Plants without true roots, stems, and leaves?
– Thallophytes
Example of a monocot plant?
– Rice
Example of a dicot plant?
– Mango
Vascular tissue for water transport?
– Xylem
Plant Anatomy and Morphology
Vascular tissue for food transport?
– Phloem
Outer protective layer of plants?
– Epidermis
Tissue responsible for plant growth?
– Meristematic tissue
Structural and supportive plant tissue?
– Collenchyma
Tissue that stores food in plants?
– Parenchyma
Layer responsible for leaf exchange of gases?
– Stomata
Part of a plant that absorbs water?
– Roots
Part of a plant that supports and transports?
– Stem
Part of a plant responsible for photosynthesis?
– Leaf
Male reproductive organ of a flower?
– Stamen
Plant Physiology
Female reproductive organ of a flower?
– Carpel
Process by which plants make food?
– Photosynthesis
Site of photosynthesis in plants?
– Chloroplast
Process by which water is lost from leaves?
– Transpiration
Hormone responsible for plant growth?
– Auxin
Hormone responsible for seed germination?
– Gibberellin
Hormone that promotes fruit ripening?
– Ethylene
Gas required for photosynthesis?
– Carbon dioxide
Process of movement of water in plants?
– Osmosis
Process of seed development without fertilization?
– Apomixis
Reproduction in Plants
Reproductive unit of a plant?
– Flower
Pollination by wind?
– Anemophily
Pollination by water?
– Hydrophily
Pollination by insects?
– Entomophily
Type of reproduction without seeds?
– Asexual
Reproduction through spores?
– Sporulation
Male gamete in plants?
– Pollen grain
Fruit that develops without fertilization?
– Parthenocarpic fruit
Example of parthenocarpic fruit?
– Banana
Ovary develops into?
– Fruit
Plant Diseases and Deficiencies
Yellowing of leaves due to nitrogen deficiency?
– Chlorosis
Fungal disease in wheat?
– Rust
Bacterial disease in plants?
– Wilt
Disease caused by fungi in potatoes?
– Late blight
Viral disease in tobacco?
– Tobacco Mosaic Virus
Essential mineral for chlorophyll formation?
– Magnesium
Nutrient required for strong roots?
– Phosphorus
Deficiency of calcium causes?
– Stunted growth
Major component of plant cell walls?
– Cellulose
Microorganism that fixes nitrogen in soil?
– Rhizobium
Economic Botany
Fiber obtained from cotton plant?
– Cotton
Oil extracted from mustard?
– Mustard oil
Plant used for making paper?
– Bamboo
Most widely consumed cereal?
– Rice
Richest source of protein among pulses?
– Soybean
Example of a medicinal plant?
– Neem
Example of a spice plant?
– Cardamom
Wood used for making cricket bats?
– Willow
Source of natural rubber?
– Rubber tree
Fruit known as ‘King of Fruits’?
– Mango
Ecology and Environment
Study of interactions between organisms and environment?
– Ecology
Greenhouse gas responsible for climate change?
– Carbon dioxide
Soil bacteria fixing atmospheric nitrogen?
– Rhizobium
Process of breaking down dead plants?
– Decomposition
Forest where teak is commonly found?
– Tropical forest
Common plant in desert regions?
– Cactus
Plants that grow in water?
– Hydrophytes
Plants adapted to dry conditions?
– Xerophytes
Forest that sheds leaves annually?
– Deciduous forest
Plant that traps insects for nutrition?
– Pitcher plant
Plant Biotechnology
Technique of growing plants without soil?
– Hydroponics
First genetically modified crop?
– Bt Cotton
Genetic material of plants?
– DNA
Process of plant tissue culture?
– Micropropagation
Science of improving plant traits?
– Plant breeding
First plant hormone discovered?
– Auxin
Gene transfer technique in plants?
– Genetic Engineering
Protein-rich cereal developed through hybridization?
– Maize
First transgenic plant developed?
– Tobacco
Biotechnology used to develop pest-resistant crops?
– Genetic modification
Miscellaneous Botany
Smallest flowering plant?
– Wolffia
Tallest tree species?
– Redwood
Fastest growing plant?
– Bamboo
Plant used in making tea?
– Camellia sinensis
Plant from which coffee is obtained?
– Coffea arabica
Plant known as ‘Tree of Life’?
– Coconut
Plant with medicinal properties used in Ayurveda?
– Tulsi
Plant used to make blue dye?
– Indigofera
National tree of India?
– Banyan
Tree known for its ability to survive in waterlogged conditions?
– Mangrove
