Practical Questions and Answers – Expanded with Additions
Specimen E: Mango (It is a drupe) Draw the longitudinal and Transverse sections
Question 9:
Describe the structure of a mango fruit.
Answer 9:
A mango consists of several parts:
Skin (Exocarp): A thin, outer layer that protects the fruit.
Flesh (Mesocarp): The thick, juicy part of the fruit, rich in sugars, fibers, and nutrients.
Seed (Endocarp): A large, flat seed surrounded by a hard, fibrous shell, which is crucial for
the plant’s reproduction.
Pit: The seed inside the mango fruit.
The mango fruit serves the function of protecting the seed and aiding in its dispersal
through animal consumption.
Question 10:
What is the significance of the seed coat in mango seeds?
Answer 10:
The seed coat of a mango seed protects the embryo within from physical damage and
dehydration. It also prevents premature germination by controlling water and air
permeability, ensuring the seed remains viable until conditions are suitable for germination.
Additional:
Classification: Kingdom Plantae; Phylum Angiospermae; Class Dicotyledonae; Order
Sapindales; Family Anacardiaceae; Genus Mangifera; Species indica.
Observation: Fleshy mesocarp, stony endocarp enclosing a single seed.
Inference: Drupe – single seed enclosed in hard endocarp.
Adaptations: Sweet mesocarp attracts animals; thick skin protects seed; fibrous endocarp
shields embryo.
Economic Importance: Eaten fresh, processed into juice, jam, dried products; source of
vitamins A and C.
Specimen F: Groundnut (It is a legume)
Question 11:
Explain the structure of a groundnut plant.
Answer 11:
A groundnut plant has the following structures:
Roots: The groundnut plant has a deep taproot system that anchors it to the soil and
absorbs water and nutrients.
Stem: The plant has a slender, erect stem that supports the leaves and flowers.
Leaves: Groundnuts have compound leaves with leaflets arranged alternately along the
stem.
Flowers: The plant produces small yellow flowers that are pollinated by insects.
Pods: The fruit is a pod that develops underground, containing two or more seeds (the
groundnuts).
Question 12:
What is the significance of the underground growth of groundnut pods?
Answer 12:
The underground growth of groundnut pods serves several purposes. It protects the
developing seeds from environmental stresses like wind and extreme temperatures.
Additionally, the underground environment prevents predation by herbivores, allowing the
seeds to mature safely before being harvested.
Additional:
Classification: Kingdom Plantae; Phylum Angiospermae; Class Dicotyledonae; Order
Fabales; Family Fabaceae; Genus Arachis; Species hypogaea.
Observation: Compound leaves, yellow flowers, underground pods.
Inference: Legume with nitrogen-fixing root nodules.
Adaptations: Geocarpy protects seeds; compound leaves maximize photosynthesis; root
nodules fix nitrogen.
Economic Importance: Edible seeds rich in oil and protein; used for peanut butter, oil,
animal feed; improves soil fertility.
Specimen G: Maize Seed (A cereal)
Question 13:
Describe the structure of a maize seed.
Answer 13:
A maize seed consists of the following parts:
Seed Coat (Testa): The outer protective layer of the seed.
Endosperm: The starchy tissue inside the seed that serves as food for the developing
embryo.
Embryo: The part of the seed that will develop into a new maize plant. It consists of the
radicle (future root), the plumule (future shoot), and the cotyledons (seed leaves).
Question 14:
What is the function of the endosperm in maize seeds?
Answer 14:
The endosperm in maize seeds provides nourishment to the developing embryo. It is rich in
starch, which is converted into sugars during germination to fuel the growth of the embryo
into a seedling. The endosperm ensures the embryo has enough energy to begin the process
of sprouting and establishing itself as a new plant.
Additional:
Classification: Kingdom Plantae; Phylum Angiospermae; Class Monocotyledonae; Order
Poales; Family Poaceae; Genus Zea; Species mays.
Observation: Hard seed coat, large endosperm, single cotyledon.
Inference: Monocot seed adapted for starch storage and quick germination.
Adaptations: Thick seed coat protects embryo; endosperm stores food; cotyledon transfers
nutrients.
Economic Importance: Staple food, animal feed, industrial starch, ethanol production.