Chancellor College

Department Of Biological Sciences

Bio 111: Introductory Botany End-course Examination
Tuesday, 4th December, 2018 Time: 17:00 – 19:00 Hrs.

Instructions:
a) This paper contains 30 questions (29 multiple choice and 1 structured question).
b) Answer all questions.
c) Answers for all questions to be given on the answer sheet provided (on page 9).
d) All multiple choice questions carry equal marks. Marks for the other question are indicated
against the question.
e) Ensure that your name and/or registration number is written on the answer sheet.

1. Early studies in botany were largely driven by plants that were useful to humans. The
development of herbal and pharmacopoeia, for example, were based on the ‘doctrine of
signatures’ that state: “Herbs that resemble various parts of the body can be used to treat
ailments of that part of the body”. Which of the following IS NOT a criticism of the
doctrine of signatures.

A. Some herbs treat ailments of body parts to which they do not resemble at all
B. Signatures are sought after the healing properties of a herb are already identified.
C. Active ingredients are more abundant in other herbs than in those herbs that resemble
the organ in question
D. No herb has been found to heals an ailment of a body part they resemble

2. Botany, like any Science has developed tremendously in part because of adopting the
scientific method to the study of different botanical phenomena. Which of the following
represents the correct order of the scientific method?

A. Hypothesis formulation, observation, experimentation, and data analysis and theory

construction
B. Observation, hypothesis formulation, experimentation, data analysis and theory
construction

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 C. Hypothesis formulation, experimentation, observation, data analysis and theory
construction
D. Experimentation, observation, hypothesis formulation, data analysis and theory
construction

3. Nitrogen fixation in heterocyst of Cynophyta is an important process in the growth of these

prokaryotic organisms with the help of an oxygen sensitive enzyme Nitrogenase. Which of
the following is not an adaptation of heterocyst during Nitrogen fixation.

A. They are surrounded by four cell wall layers.

B. They contain polar plugs with other adjoining cells
C. They obtain food particles through the process of diffusion
D. They contain oxygen harvesting proteins

4. Both Schizonta and Cynophyta (Kingdom Monera) are able to make their own food. How
do these groups differ in they make their food?

A. Schizonta are prokaryotic while Cynophyta are Eukaryotic

B. Cynophyta use bacteriochlorophyll while Schizonta use chlorophyll a and b
C. Schizonta use bacteriochlorophyll while Cynophyta use chlorophyll a
D. Cynophyta use chlorophyll a and b while Schizonta use chlorophyll a only

5. Euglenophyta comprise plant-like Protists with some animal like characteristics. Which of
the following statements is true about Euglenophyta.

A. Euglenophyta have chlorophyll a and b and are motile

B. Euglenophyta are always heterotrophic just like animals
C. Euglenophyta are not capable of movement but can make their own food
D. Euglenophyta can be facultative heterotrophs and not capable of motility

6. Symbiosis involving plants have existed from the time plants started colonizing the
terrestrial/land environments. Which one of the following is NOT an example of a
mutualistic symbiosis?

A. Lichen
B. Ectomycorrhiza
C. Root nodule
D. Commensalism

7. The figure below shows the cross section of a lichen, with parts labeled 1, 2, 3, and 4. What
do these parts stand for sequentially?

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 A. 1 is Algal layer, 2 is fungal layer, 3 is epidermis, and 4 is Cortex
B. 1 is Upper cortex, 2 is Medulla, 3 is Algal layer and 4 is Lower cortex
C. 1 is Upper cortex, 2 is Algal layer, 3 is Medulla and 4 is Lower Cortex
D. 1 is fungal layer, 2 is algal layer, 3 is Upper cortex and 4 is Lower cortex

8. Division Chlorophyta (Green alga) belong to the Kingdom Plantae. Which of the following
characteristics of the plant Kingdom are absent in Chlorophyta.

A. Unlimited growth in meristems

B. Photosynthetic nutrition
C. Absence of locomotion and nervous systems
D. Life cycle with alternation of generations (haplodiplontic life cycle)

9. Sexual reproduction (Syngamy) in plants take three main forms i.e. isogamy, heterogamy,
and Oogamy. These are based of gamete motility size and form. Which of the following
statement is TRUE regarding the three types of syngamy.

A. During Heterogamy and Oogamy both gametes are motile

B. Both in isogamy and anisogamy gametes are of same size
C. I all types of syngamy, the female gamete is always motile
D. The female gamete in Oogamy is bigger than the male gamete while both gametes are
motile in Isogamy

10. Brown algae (division Phaeophyta) are mostly found in oceans and seas where some
species grow into giant weeds. Ability to float in such habitats is critical to facilitate
photosynthesis. What adaptive feature have some species evolved to enable them float.

A. They have lamina with chlorophyll a and c for photosynthesis

B. They use the haplodiplontic lifecycle where gametophytes are able to float
C. Some have air bladders that help reduce density and allow floating
D. Some have holdfast that enable attachment at the water bottom

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11. Meiosis is a kind of cell division usually involving different diploid cells in a plant body.
There are three main types of meiosis known in plants; zygotic meiosis, sporic meiosis and
gametic meiosis. Which of the following statement is NOT correct regarding these types
of meiosis.

A. Zygotic meiosis occurs in the haplontic life cycle of algae to produce spores
B. Sporic meiosis and gametic meiosis can occur in a plant during one lifecycle
C. Gametic meiosis is common in the diplontic life cycle
D. Sporic meiosis occurs in diploid cells of sporophytes to produce spores

12. The table below shows some of the challenges plants faced during the transition (evolution)
from water onto land. And the numbered (1, 2, and 3) innovations that plants evolved to
solve each challenge.

Challenge to life on land Innovation used to solve the challenge

Transport of material within plant body 1
Risk to embryo desiccation Evolution of seeds and seed coats
Gaseous exchange 2
Gamete transport (without water) 3

Which of the following correctly corresponds to 1, 2, and 3 above?

A. 1 is evolution of the conducting vessels while 2 is evolution of the cuticle

B. 3 is evolution of pollen while 2 is the evolution of stomata
C. 3 is the evolution of spores while 1 is evolution of xylem and phloem
D. 1 and 2 are evolution of cuticle while 3 is evolution of pollen

13. Liverworts represent some of earliest plants to colonize the land from water. Which of the
following statements is NOT correct regarding the biology of liverworts.

A. Liverworts can have both male and female gametangia on the same individual
B. Liverworts, though found on land still rely of water to complete their lifecycle
C. Liverworts have rhizoids with xylem and phloem for support and material absorption
D. Antheridia and archegonia in liverworts are for production of male and female gametes
respectively

14. The picture below shows a clearly labeled Liverwort sporophyte

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 State why the sporophyte is unable to make its own food and state the kind of cell division
that sporocytes undergo.

A. The sporophyte cannot make its own food because it depends on the gametophyte for
food; sporocytes undergo meiosis to produce haploid spores
B. The sporophyte cannot make its own food because it does not have chloroplasts for
photosynthesis; sporocytes undergo meiosis to produce haploid spores
C. The sporophyte cannot make its own food because it depends on the gametophyte for
food; sporocytes undergo mitosis to produce haploid spores
D. The sporophyte cannot make its own food because it depends on the gametophyte for
food; sporocytes undergo meiosis to produce gametes

15. Mosses (Division Bryophyta), are found growing in humid and moist places. They tend to
grow as ‘colonies’ as a means of conserving water, yet still have crude water conducting
vessels that are called?

A. Hydroids
B. Protonema
C. Leptoids
D. Capillary attraction

16. Bryophytes species can be grouped as monoecious or dioecious. What is the difference
between these groups

A. Monoecious species produce both male and female gametes on the same individual
whereas dioecious species produce one kind of gamete per individual.
B. Monoecious species produce protonema from spores while dioecious species do not
C. In dioecious species, the sporophyte is independent while in monoecious species, the
sporophyte depends on the gametophyte
D. In both groups, spores are produced by mitosis of the sporocytes of the capsule.

17. Tracheophytes represent a group of land plants with proper conducting vessels (xylem and
phloem). Which of the following statements are correct regarding early tracheophytes (the
Lycopodiophyta).

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 1. Members of Psilotophyta have prophylls (with no xylem and phloem)
2. Gametophytes of Lycopodiophyta are not photosynthetic
3. The sporophyte id the dominant phase in the lifecycle
4. They do not need water during fertilization
5. Within sporangia, diploid sporocytes divide by mitosis to produce haploid spores

A. 1, 4, and 5
B. 2, 3, and 5
C. 1, 3, and 4
D. 1, 2, and 3

18. Among tracheophytes, ferns were the first to evolve megaphylls. What is the difference
between microphylls and megaphylls

A. Megaphylls are found in thallophytes while microphylls are found in all plants
B. Microphylls are more advanced than megaphylls
C. Microphylls are not capable of photosynthesis while megaphylls are.
D. Megaphylls have a branched network of veins throughout the leaf while mirophylls have
a single vein mid-way the leaf

19. Ferns (Pteridophytes) are categorized as homosporous or heterosporous depending on

whether they produce one kind of spore or two kinds. What is the difference between
gametophytes from homosporous and heterosporous ferns

A. Gametophytes from both are photosynthetic

B. Homosporous have monoecious gametophytes whereas heterosporous ferns have
dioecious gametophytes
C. In both cases gametophytes are monoecious
D. In both cases gametophytes are dioecious

20. Gymnosperms were the first plants on land to completely avoid water during fertilization.
What did gymnosperms evolve to achieve this?

A. They evolved pollen

B. They evolved strobili
C. They evolved anthers and stigma
D. They evolved vascular tissues (xylem and phloem)

21. Which of the following plant Divisions does NOT below to the gymnosperms

A. Coniferophyta
B. Magnoliophyta
C. Gnetophyta

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 D. Cycadophyta

22. Which of the challenges to land life was solved by the evolution of pollen

A. Body support
B. Gamete transportation in the absence of water
C. The harmful effects of UV radiation
D. Material transport across the plant body

23. Which of the following features is found in angiosperms but not gymnosperms

A. Pollen
B. Ovary
C. Seed
D. Sporangia

24. Flowers in plants can have both male and female part or can have one sex. What are flowers
with only the female parts called?

A. Pistilate flowers
B. Complete flowers
C. Staminate flowers
D. Monoecious flowers

25. Which of the following features does not explain why angiosperms are more successful
than gymnosperms

A. The presence of flowers that facilitate pollination

B. The process of double fertilization that create a nutrient rich embryo for embryo
nutrition
C. The presence of seeds/seed coats that protect the embryo
D. The presence of fruits that facilitate dispersal

The figure below shows a mature megagametophyte of angiosperms. Use it to answer

questions 26 and 27

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26. Which two parts (nuclei) of this gametophyte are involved in double fertilization?

A. X and Y
B. Z and X
C. Y and Z
D. Synergids and Z

27. Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding parts X, Y, and Z

A. X is involved in the formation of an endosperm while Y is the egg

B. Z is diploid while X is haploid
C. Z is fertilized by the sperm nuclei while X is involved in endosperm formation
D. Both X and Y are involved in endosperm formation

28. Among plants, there is always potential for self-fertilization (which could result to
inbreeding). There are different strategies that plants use to limit/avoid self-fertilization.
Which one of the following is NOT among such strategies?

A. In monoecious species anthers and pistils mature at different times

B. Spores is are dispersed in such a way that they land away from parent plants
C. In lower plants, archegonia and antheridia mature at different times
D. Wind helps prevent self-fertilization

29. Why is the evolution of fruit considered key to the success of angiosperms
A. It promotes effective seed dispersal allowing angiosperms to grow in new habitats
B. Fruits enabled angiosperms not to rely on water for fertilization
C. Fruits are edible by humans and thus promote human nutrition
D. Fruits protect allow fast seed germination within the same growing season

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 Bio 111 (Introduction to Botany): Answer Sheet
Name: ________________________________________________________________

Reg. Number___________________________________________________________

30. The figure below shows the haplodiplontic life cycle in some species of brown algae. Fill
in the blanks with the ploidy status (n or 2n) of each stage in the life cycle. (10 marks)

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