Test on Plant Reproduction

Question 1: Asexual reproduction is most advantageous for species in changing, unstable environmental conditions.

A. Ano

B. Ne

Explanation: Asexual reproduction is very useful in unchanging (stable) conditions if the parent is well adapted, ensuring well-adapted individuals are preserved. Sexual reproduction, on the other hand, provides value in changing (unstable) environments as individuals with variations can adapt to new conditions.

Question 2: Which of the following are adaptations found in insect-pollinated flowers?

A. Brightly coloured petals to attract insects

B. Production of large quantities of nectar

C. Sticky pollen that easily attaches to an insect's body

D. Stamens and stigma protruding from the flower

Explanation: Insect-pollinated flowers are brightly coloured to attract insects and have sticky pollen to easily adhere to an insect's body. The production of large quantities of nectar is an adaptation of bird-pollinated flowers, and stamens and stigma protruding from the flower is also a characteristic of bird-pollinated flowers, whereas in insect-pollinated flowers, they are positioned inside the flower.

Question 3: Strawberry stolons predominantly grow upwards from the base of the stem to form new plants.

A. Ano

B. Ne

Explanation: The study materials state that 'Stolons grow across the ground' from which a new plant develops, not predominantly upwards.

Question 4: Which of the following statements accurately describe the process of plant propagation using cuttings, according to the provided study materials?

A. Cuttings are always derived from the stem tip.

B. Auxin can be administered to expedite the growth of roots.

C. A small piece of the plant is maintained in water or damp compost.

D. The primary goal is to introduce genetic variation into the offspring.

Explanation: The study materials state that 'Auxin (plant hormone) given to speed up root growth' and that 'A small piece of a plant is cut off and kept in water or damp compost until roots grow.' It also mentions that 'Cutting may be a leaf, twig or stem tip,' which contradicts the idea that cuttings are 'always' derived from the stem tip. Asexual propagation, including cuttings, typically produces clones with genetic stability, not new genetic variations.

Question 5: Tetraploid offspring are typically infertile.

A. Ano

B. Ne

Explanation: The study materials state that 'triploid offspring tend to be infertile'. However, for tetraploid offspring, the materials only mention that they 'cannot mate with diploid organisms', without stating they are typically infertile.