Biology : Taxonomy Part-III

Total Questions: 40

21. Clove, a spice, is obtained from which part of the plant? [66th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2020]

(a) Fruit
(b) Stem
(c) Root
(d) Flower bud
(e) None of the above / More than one of the above

Correct Answer: (d) Flower bud

Solution:Cloves are the aromatic closed, dried floral buds, which is used in Ayurvedic medicines, making food and as an anodyne for dental emergencies. The botanical name of clove tree is Syzigium aromaticum (Eugenia caryophyllata) which belongs to Myrtaceae family. Cloves are native of Indonesia and used as a spice in cuisines all over the world. The clove tree grows to a height ranging from generally 8-12 metres, having large oval leaves.

22. Which of the following is not correctly matched— [U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2001]

(a) Ginger - Rhizome
(b) Saffron - Stem
(c) Opium - Opium capsule
(d) Jute - Stem

Correct Answer: (d) Jute - Stem

Solution:Saffron is a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, commonly known as the "Saffron Crocus". Saffron is obtained from the styles and stigmas of the flower of Crocus sativus. Other options are correctly matched.

23. Saffron is dried mixture of : [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2002]

(a) Leaf and stem
(b) Petals and roots
(c) Seed forming parts of flower
(d) Seeds and buds

Correct Answer: (c) Seed forming parts of flower

Solution:Saffron is obtained from the gynoecium parts (stigma and styles) of the flower of Crocus sativus which are seed forming parts of the flower. The scientific name of saffron is the crocus sativus which belongs to the Iridaceae family. Saffron is mainly cultivated in Jammu and Kashmir. The Saffron spice originates from a flower called crocus sativus-commonly known as the "saffron crocus".

The vivid crimson stigma and styles, called threads, are collected and dried for use mainly as a seasoning and coloring agent in food. Each flower produces only three threads (stigmas) of saffron, and it blooms for only one week each year. It takes about 1,000 flowers to produce just one ounce of saffron

24. In the following pairs of plants and their edible parts, which pair is not correctly matched? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2011]

(a) Ginger - Rhizome
(b) Onion - Fleshy leaves
(c) Potato - Roots
(d) Coconut - Endosperm

Correct Answer: (c) Potato - Roots

Solution:The edible part of the potato is tuber (modified stem), not root. Thus, option (c) is not correctly matched. Other options are correctly matched.

25. Which of the following parts of potato is edible? [U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2013]

(a) Stem
(b) Seed
(c) Root
(d) Fruit

Correct Answer: (a) Stem

Solution:The edible part of the potato is tuber. The potato tuber, also called a stolon, is an underground stem that stores food (starch) and allows for vegetative reproduction. "Eyes" on a potato are actually axillary buds that can sprout into new stems and leaves, further demonstrating its stem nature.

26. Which one of the following is a fruit— [R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 1999]

(a) Potato
(b) Radish
(c) Ladies finger
(d) Sweet Potato

Correct Answer: (c) Ladies finger

Solution:Ladies finger (okra) is a flowering plant in the mallow family. Its botanical name is Abelmoschus esculentus. Its fruit is a capsule up to 18cm long with the pentagonal cross-section, containing numerous seeds. The entire part of the fruit is edible. In remaining options, the edible part of the potato is tuber and root is the edible part of radish and sweet potato.

27. Among the following, which is not a true fruit? [66th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2020]

(a) Apple
(b) Grape
(c) Date
(d) Plum
(e) None of the above / More than one of the above

Correct Answer: (a) Apple

Solution:The true fruit can be defined as the fruit, which is formed from the fertilized ovary of the flower. Mango, grapes, cherry, watermelon, lemon, date, plum, etc. are examples of true fruits. The false fruit can be defined as the fruit, which is formed from the ripened ovary along with some other parts of the flower. Some examples of false fruit are cashew-nut, which develops from the peduncle; apple, pear, gourd and cucumber, which develop from the thalamus; jack fruit and pineapple, which develop from the entire inflorescence, etc.

28. The type of fruit in which lychee can be placed in— [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010]

(a) Drupe
(b) Hesperidium
(c) Nut
(d) One seeded berry

Correct Answer: (a) Drupe

Solution:Lychee is a juicy fruit belonging to the soapberry family. The fruit grows on an evergreen tree, with pinnate leaves. It is a drupe (like a plum, a cherry or a mango), externally covered by a pink-red rough textured rind, easily removable.

29. The characteristic odor of garlic is due to— [I.A.S. (Pre) 1997, Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2005 ,nU.P.P.C.S. (Spl.) (Mains) 2008]

(a) A chloro compound
(b) A sulphur compound
(c) A fluorine compound
(d) Acetic acid

Correct Answer: (b) A sulphur compound

Solution:Garlic is made up of sulphuric compounds (Allyl methyl sulphide) that render the pungent smell to it. It is also used as diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant and for treating blood pressure and heart disease.

30. Peeling of onions causes tears as onions release— [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2015]

(a) Sulphonic acid
(b) Sulfenic acid
(c) Amino acid
(d) Carbolic acid

Correct Answer: (b) Sulfenic acid

Solution:Sulfenic acid found in onions irritates lacrimal glands and produces tears in eyes. When an onion is cut, enzymes in the onion react with amino acid sulfoxides to produce sulfenic acid. This unstable acid then transforms into syn-propanethial-S-oxide, a volatile compound that irritates the eyes and triggers the production of tears. The tear production is a reflex action, not an emotional response.

« Previous 1 234 Next »