Chapter 4 – Absorption by Roots – The Process Involved:
1. Which of the following is the main function of roots?
A) Photosynthesis
B) Absorption of water and minerals
C) Transpiration
D) Gaseous exchange
Answer: B) Absorption of water and minerals
2. The process by which water is absorbed by roots from the soil is
called:
A) Diffusion
B) Osmosis
C) Transpiration
D) Active transport
Answer: B) Osmosis
3. Root hairs absorb water due to the process of:
A) Transpiration pull
B) Active transport
C) Endosmosis
D) Plasmolysis
Answer: C) Endosmosis
4. The movement of molecules from a region of higher concentration to
a region of lower concentration is called:
A) Active transport
B) Diffusion
C) Osmosis
D) Plasmolysis
Answer: B) Diffusion
5. The plasma membrane of root hair cells is:
A) Permeable
B) Impermeable
C) Selectively permeable
D) Semi-rigid
Answer: C) Selectively permeable
6. Root hairs are extensions of which plant tissue?
A) Xylem
B) Phloem
C) Epidermis
D) Cortex
Answer: C) Epidermis
7. The solution present in the vacuole of root hair cells is:
A) Hypotonic
B) Isotonic
C) Hypertonic
D) Neutral
Answer: C) Hypertonic
8. Which of the following helps in the upward movement of water in
plants?
A) Root pressure
B) Transpiration pull
C) Capillarity
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
9. The two types of pathways for water absorption in roots are:
A) Xylem and Phloem
B) Apoplast and Symplast
C) Cortex and Pith
D) Endodermis and Pericycle
Answer: B) Apoplast and Symplast
10. The apoplast pathway occurs through:
A) Cell walls
B) Cytoplasm
C) Vacuoles
D) Nucleus
Answer: A) Cell walls
11. Water enters the root hair by:
A) Exosmosis
B) Endosmosis
C) Diffusion
D) Active transport
Answer: B) Endosmosis
12. Active transport requires:
A) ATP
B) Oxygen
C) Enzymes
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
13. Osmosis is a type of:
A) Active transport
B) Passive transport
C) Facilitated diffusion
D) Bulk flow
Answer: B) Passive transport
14. Root pressure is generated due to:
A) Loss of water
B) Absorption of salts actively
C) Loss of minerals
D) None of the above
Answer: B) Absorption of salts actively
15. Transpiration pull is mainly responsible for:
A) Root growth
B) Loss of minerals
C) Water movement in plants
D) Increase in osmotic pressure
Answer: C) Water movement in plants
16. The Casparian strip is found in the:
A) Epidermis
B) Endodermis
C) Cortex
D) Phloem
Answer: B) Endodermis
17. Plasmolysis occurs when:
A) A cell is placed in a hypotonic solution
B) A cell is placed in a hypertonic solution
C) A cell is placed in an isotonic solution
D) None of the above
Answer: B) A cell is placed in a hypertonic solution
18. Which ion is actively absorbed by roots?
A) Na⁺
B) K⁺
C) Ca²⁺
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
19. Root pressure is measured by:
A) Manometer
B) Potometer
C) Hygrometer
D) Osmometer
Answer: A) Manometer
20. The process of loss of water in liquid form from the leaf margins is
called:
A) Transpiration
B) Guttation
C) Osmosis
D) Diffusion
Answer: B) Guttation
21. Which structure in the root controls the movement of water into the
xylem?
A) Epidermis
B) Endodermis
C) Cortex
D) Phloem
Answer: B) Endodermis
22. Root hairs increase the surface area for:
A) Transpiration
B) Photosynthesis
C) Water absorption
D) Food storage
Answer: C) Water absorption
23. The movement of water across a semipermeable membrane is
called:
A) Diffusion
B) Osmosis
C) Active transport
D) Guttation
Answer: B) Osmosis
24. Which pathway involves the movement of water through the
cytoplasm of cells?
A) Apoplast pathway
B) Symplast pathway
C) Transpiration
D) Guttation
Answer: B) Symplast pathway
25. Root pressure is highest during:
A) Midday
B) Morning
C) Evening
D) Night
Answer: D) Night
26. The pressure responsible for the upward movement of water in the
xylem is:
A) Osmotic pressure
B) Root pressure
C) Diffusion pressure
D) None of the above
Answer: B) Root pressure
27. The passage cells in the endodermis allow:
A) Water movement
B) Food storage
C) Photosynthesis
D) Root hair development
Answer: A) Water movement
28. The term "Imbibition" refers to:
A) Loss of water
B) Absorption of water by solid particles
C) Photosynthesis
D) Excretion in plants
Answer: B) Absorption of water by solid particles
29. Water potential is highest in:
A) Soil
B) Xylem
C) Leaves
D) Atmosphere
Answer: A) Soil
30. Which of the following does NOT affect the rate of water
absorption?
A) Temperature
B) Wind speed
C) Soil water availability
D) Chlorophyll content
Answer: D) Chlorophyll content
31. Which mineral is essential for root hair growth?
A) Nitrogen
B) Phosphorus
C) Potassium
D) Magnesium
Answer: B) Phosphorus
32. Guttation occurs through special openings called:
A) Stomata
B) Hydathodes
C) Lenticles
D) Root hairs
Answer: B) Hydathodes
33. Which force prevents excessive water loss from plant cells?
A) Turgor pressure
B) Transpiration pull
C) Osmotic pressure
D) Root pressure
Answer: A) Turgor pressure
34. The first step in water absorption is:
A) Active transport of minerals
B) Passive absorption of water
C) Plasmolysis of root hair cells
D) Guttation
Answer: A) Active transport of minerals
35. Which part of the root is most active in water absorption?
A) Root cap
B) Mature region
C) Root hair zone
D) Lateral roots
Answer: C) Root hair zone
36. Which type of solution causes root hair cells to lose water?
A) Hypotonic
B) Isotonic
C) Hypertonic
D) Neutral
Answer: C) Hypertonic
37. The term ‘incipient plasmolysis’ refers to:
A) Initial stage of plasmolysis
B) Final stage of plasmolysis
C) Death of root hairs
D) Excessive water absorption
Answer: A) Initial stage of plasmolysis
38. Water moves from root hair to xylem through:
A) Active transport
B) Transpiration pull
C) Diffusion and osmosis
D) Photosynthesis
Answer: C) Diffusion and osmosis
39. Which of the following does NOT require ATP?
A) Active transport
B) Diffusion
C) Mineral uptake
D) Cytoplasmic streaming
Answer: B) Diffusion
40. Which of the following will increase root pressure?
A) Increased transpiration
B) Increased mineral absorption
C) Increased stomatal closure
D) Decreased humidity
Answer: B) Increased mineral absorption
41. If a plant is kept in a hypertonic solution, what will happen?
A) Cells will absorb water
B) Cells will become turgid
C) Cells will lose water and shrink
D) No change
Answer: C) Cells will lose water and shrink
42. The phenomenon of movement of water through a semi-permeable
membrane without energy is called:
A) Plasmolysis
B) Osmosis
C) Transpiration
D) Root pressure
Answer: B) Osmosis
43. Transpiration mainly occurs through:
A) Cuticle
B) Hydathodes
C) Stomata
D) Root hairs
Answer: C) Stomata
44. Xylem vessels transport:
A) Water and minerals
B) Food
C) Hormones
D) Oxygen
Answer: A) Water and minerals
45. The loss of water by evaporation from aerial parts of a plant is
called:
A) Absorption
B) Transpiration
C) Diffusion
D) Osmosis
Answer: B) Transpiration
46. If a plant cell is placed in pure water, it will:
A) Shrink
B) Swell
C) Remain unchanged
D) Die
Answer: B) Swell
47. The absorption of water by roots depends on:
A) Temperature
B) Soil water concentration
C) Number of root hairs
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
48. Which of these statements about active transport is false?
A) Requires ATP
B) Moves molecules against a concentration gradient
C) Occurs in the xylem
D) Helps in mineral absorption
Answer: C) Occurs in the xylem
49. If the concentration of solutes in the soil is higher than in the root
cells, the root will:
A) Gain water
B) Lose water
C) Show no change
D) Increase transpiration
Answer: B) Lose water
50. Which of the following enhances absorption by roots?
A) Higher humidity
B) Lower soil temperature
C) Increased surface area of root hairs
D) Less mineral concentration in soil
Answer: C) Increased surface area of root hairs