Plant: Economic Importance (Plant Physiology)

Total Questions: 60

1. ‘Kanchan’ is an improved variety of: [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2015]

Correct Answer: (b) Indian gooseberry
Solution:The fruits of Indian gooseberry are rich in medicinal properties. It is rich in vitamin C. Kanchan, Krishna and Banarasi are some of its improved varieties.

VITAMIN C

It is also known as ascorbic acid and is found in citrus fruits (like orange, lemon), kiwifruit, guava, broccoli, strawberries, etc.

It is an essential nutrient and is not synthesized by the human body.

It is on the List of Essential Medicines of the World Health Organization.

Discovery - It was discovered in 1912 and first isolated in 1928.

Functions - Repair of tissues, Act as a co-factor in many enzymatic reactions, Important for the Immune system, Acts as an antioxidant.

2. The hybrid variety of mango developed from the cross of Neelum and Alphonso is: [M.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2020]

Correct Answer: (c) Ratna
Solution:Ratna is a mango variety of Indian origin grown in the state Maharashtra and some parts of Karnataka. It is a hybrid variant made from the Alphonso and Neelam mango. It is considered to be one of the high-yielding mango varieties.

3. ‘Kashi Lalima’ is the variety of which of the following crops? [U.P. R.O/A.R.O. (Pre) 2021]

Correct Answer: (b) Okra/Lady finger
Solution:‘Kashi Lalima’ is the variety of okra/ladies’ finger. It was developed by agricultural experts at the Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR) in Varanasi. This red colour variant is much more nutritious and healthy than the regular green okra due to its anti-oxidant properties and its richness in calcium and iron.

4. Co. 1148 is an important variety of: [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2017]

Correct Answer: (d) Sugarcane
Solution:Co.1148 is an important variety of sugarcane for eastern tract of Uttar Pradesh. Its canes are medium thick. It is a very good germinator with profuse tillering. This variety is moderately resistant to drought.
  • Cotton: is classified as a Kharif crop, meaning it is sown during the rainy season (typically June-July) and harvested during the colder months (October-November).
  • Wheat: is a Rabi crop, sown in the winter and harvested in the spring.
  • Maize: is a Kharif crop, similar to cotton.
  • Sugarcane: is also a Kharif crop, but it has a longer growing cycle compared to cotton and maize.

5. Which of the following pairs is not correctly matched? [U.P. RO./A.RO. (Pre) 2017]

 

OptionCropVariety
(a)MustardVaruna
(b)Field PeaSapna
(c)LinseedSurya
(d)GroundnutKaushal
Correct Answer: (c)
Solution:Surya’ is the name of the varieties of papaya, brinjal, mango, potato, tomato, etc. It is not a variety of linseed. Other pairs are correctly matched.

6. The botanical name of macaroni wheat is: [Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2021]

Correct Answer: (b) Triticum durum
Solution:The botanical name of macaroni (macaroni) wheat is Triticum durum. It is a tetraploid species of wheat. It is the second most cultivated species of wheat after common wheat, although it represents only about 5% to 10% of global wheat production.

7. Biologically, synthesized nano particles are used as a new eco-friendly technology, which has big possibility in cancer treatment. Extracts of a plant are used in this technique, this plant is: [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2004]

Correct Answer: (b) Parthenium hysterophorus
Solution:

Parthenin, a sesquiterpene lactone, is a key compound in Parthenium hysterophorus and has been shown to have cytotoxic effects against various cancer cell lines.

Research indicates that the plant, particularly the flowers, exhibits anti-tumour activity. Scientific studies have also demonstrated the anticancer potential of extracts from the plant.

Parthenium hysterophorus is also known for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. It has been traditionally used to treat various ailments, including skin infections, rheumatism, and amoebic dysentery.

While the plant shows promising therapeutic potential, more research is needed to fully understand its mechanisms of action and clinical applications.

8. Litmus, the acid–base indicator is obtained from: [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010]

Correct Answer: (b) Lichen
Solution:

Litmus paper is a filter paper that has been treated with a lichen-provided natural-soluble dye. Litmus paper is a piece of paper that produces a result which can be used as a pH indicator. Litmus is mainly used to assess whether a solution is acidic or basic.

The colour transition occurs over the pH range 4.5-8.3 at 25°C (77°F), with light blue litmus paper turning red under acidic conditions and red litmus paper turning blue under basic or alkaline conditions. Purple litmus paper is neutral.

9. With reference to neem tree, consider the following statements: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2014]

  1. Neem oil can be used as a pesticide to control the proliferation of some species of insects and mites.
  2. Neem seeds are used in the manufacture of bio-fuels and hospital detergents.
  3. Neem oil has applications in pharmaceutical industry.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Solution:Azadirachtin is a substance with pesticidal properties found in neem plant extracts such as ‘neem oil’. Neem oil, as a traditional medical remedy, is used as anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, insect repellent and treatment of skin diseases.

Neem Methyl Ester (Bio-diesel) can be prepared by a two-step process of esterification and transesterification from neem oil with methanol in the presence of a catalyst. Therefore, all three statements are correct.

10. Pine, Fir, Spruce, Cedar, Larch and Cypress are the famous timber-yielding plants of which several also grow widely in the hilly regions of India. All these are: [67th B.P.S.C. (Pre) (Re. Exam) 2022]

Correct Answer: (b) gymnosperms
Solution:Pine, Fir, Spruce, Cedar, Larch and Cypress are the famous timber-producing plants. These are generally found in mountain forests. All these belong to Clade gymnosperms.

The term gymnosperm literally means ‘naked seeds,’ which is based on the unenclosed condition of their seeds (called ovules in their unfertilized state).

The non-encased condition of their seeds contrasts with the seeds and ovules of flowering plants (angiosperms), which are enclosed within an ovary.

  • Angiosperms: These are flowering plants, and their seeds are enclosed within fruits. Angiosperms are further divided into monocots (with one cotyledon or seed leaf) and dicots (with two cotyledons).
  • Monocotyledons: A type of angiosperm characterized by having a single cotyledon in their seed.
  • Dicotyledons: A type of angiosperm characterized by having two cotyledons in their seed.