How often does Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants appear in NEET?

Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants is a Very High Weightage chapter with 5 to 7 questions in most NEET exams. Questions focus on microsporogenesis and pollen grain structure (sporopollenin, exine and intine, 2-celled vs 3-celled), megasporogenesis and the 7-celled 8-nucleate embryo sac (Polygonum type), pollination types and agents, double fertilisation and triple fusion, endosperm types, embryo development, apomixis, and polyembryony. Memorise structures and the precise sequence of events for the highest score.

Why is the flowering plant embryo sac called 7-celled and 8-nucleate?

The mature embryo sac of the Polygonum type (the typical angiosperm embryo sac) has 8 nuclei but only 7 cells. The 8 nuclei are: 1 egg + 2 synergid + 3 antipodal + 2 polar nuclei (the polar nuclei are inside the central cell). However, the 2 polar nuclei share a single central cell, so the total number of cells is 7 (1 egg + 2 synergids + 3 antipodals + 1 central cell with 2 polar nuclei) = 7 cells, 8 nuclei. This is why the structure is called 7-celled, 8-nucleate. The development requires 3 mitotic divisions of the functional megaspore.

What is double fertilisation, and why is it unique to flowering plants?

Double fertilisation is a unique feature of angiosperms (flowering plants), discovered by S.G. Nawaschin in 1898. Two fertilisation events happen simultaneously inside one embryo sac: (1) Syngamy: one male gamete fuses with the egg to form a diploid zygote (2n). This is the "true" fertilisation. (2) Triple fusion: the second male gamete fuses with the two polar nuclei (or with the secondary nucleus formed from their fusion) to form a triploid primary endosperm nucleus (3n). The zygote develops into the embryo, while the primary endosperm nucleus divides to form the endosperm, which nourishes the developing embryo. Double fertilisation is unique to angiosperms; it does not occur in gymnosperms or other plant groups.

What is sporopollenin and why is it important?

Sporopollenin is the most resistant biological material known. It makes up the exine (outer wall) of pollen grains and is responsible for their extraordinary durability. Sporopollenin can resist high temperatures, strong acids, strong alkalis, enzymes, and microbial decay. Because of sporopollenin, pollen grains can be preserved for thousands or even millions of years (palynology, the study of fossil pollen, depends on this). The pollen grain wall has germ pores (apertures) where sporopollenin is absent; this is where the pollen tube emerges during germination. Sporopollenin also makes pollen grains useful as forensic evidence and for tracking ancient climate.

What are the differences between autogamy, geitonogamy, and xenogamy?

Three types of pollination based on the source of pollen: (1) Autogamy: pollen transferred to the stigma of the SAME flower (self-pollination in the strictest sense). Examples: Pisum sativum (pea) typically self-pollinates. Cleistogamous flowers (e.g., Viola, Commelina) are always autogamous because they never open. (2) Geitonogamy: pollen transferred from one flower to a DIFFERENT flower OF THE SAME PLANT. Genetically still self-pollination (same plant = same genotype) but functionally similar to cross-pollination because it requires a pollinator. (3) Xenogamy: pollen transferred from a flower of one plant to a flower of a DIFFERENT plant of the same species. This is the only TRUE cross-pollination that brings genetic variation. NEET trap: geitonogamy and xenogamy both look like cross-pollination but only xenogamy is genetically cross-pollination.

What is apomixis and how is it useful in agriculture?

Apomixis is the formation of seeds WITHOUT fertilisation (asexual reproduction through seeds). The diploid embryo develops directly from the diploid nucellar cells (without meiosis or syngamy). Found in many grasses (Poaceae), some Asteraceae, and citrus. Apomictic seeds give rise to plants that are genetically IDENTICAL to the parent (no genetic recombination). Importance in agriculture: (1) Hybrid varieties of crops (e.g., hybrid maize, tomato) usually lose their hybrid vigour after a few generations (because of segregation in F2). If apomixis could be introduced into hybrids, the hybrid character would be preserved generation after generation, saving farmers from buying new seeds every year. (2) Allows propagation of desirable types without sexual recombination. Many citrus varieties propagated through apomictic seeds because some embryos are nucellar (asexual).

What is the difference between dicot and monocot embryo development?

Both develop from the zygote following double fertilisation, but their final structures differ. Dicot embryo (e.g., capsella): has TWO cotyledons (which often store food), an epicotyl (above cotyledons; gives shoot apex), a hypocotyl (between cotyledons and radicle; gives stem base), a radicle (root tip), and a plumule (developing shoot tip with leaves). Monocot embryo (e.g., grasses, maize, wheat): has ONE cotyledon, called the SCUTELLUM, which absorbs nutrients from the endosperm. The shoot is enclosed in a protective sheath called the COLEOPTILE. The root is enclosed in a protective sheath called the COLEORHIZA. The endosperm is large and persistent in monocots (provides food during germination). NEET trap: scutellum, coleoptile, coleorhiza are MONOCOT-specific terms.

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Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants

Sexual Reproduction in Flowering PlantsNEET Botany · Class 12 · NCERT Chapter 1

Overview Notes NEET Questions Interactive Learning

24 NEET previous-year questions on Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants, each with the correct answer and a step-by-step solution. Sourced directly from official NEET papers across every booklet code.

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All (24)

Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants (24)

Fertilization of a flower by the pollen from another flower of the same plant

Fertilization of a flower by the pollen from the same flower

Fertilization of a flower by the pollen from a flower of another plant in the same population

Fertilization of a flower by the pollen from a flower of another plant belonging to a distant population

Solution

Geitonogamy is the transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma of another flower on the same plant, which is a form of self-pollination. NCERT XII chapter Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants defines geitonogamy as such, so option (a) is correct.

Pteris

Funaria

Lilium

Pinus

Solution

The male gametophyte of Lilium consists of only two cells: a tube cell and a generative cell. NCERT XII chapter Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants states that this is the simplest male gametophyte among the given options, so option (c) is correct.

Multicarpellary syncarpous gynoecium

Multicarpellary apocarpus gynoecium

Complete inflorescence

Multicarpellary superior ovary

Solution

An aggregate fruit develops from a multicarpellary apocarpous gynoecium, where each carpel develops into a separate fruit. NCERT XII chapter Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants describes this process, making option (b) correct.

In vitro fertilization

Breeding programmes

Supplementing food

Ex situ conservation

Solution

Pollen tablets are marketed as dietary supplements, often claimed to have nutritional and health benefits. NCERT XII chapter Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants discusses the use of pollen in various contexts, but for supplements, option (c) is correct.

Recognize the suitable pollen at stigma

Stimulate division of generative cell

Produce nectar

Guide the entry of pollen tube

Solution

The filiform apparatus guides the entry of the pollen tube into the ovule. This structure is part of the integument and helps direct the pollen tube towards the micropyle, so option (d) is correct.

Maize

Castor

Wheat

Pea

Solution

Non-albuminous seeds lack endosperm, and peas are an example of such seeds. NCERT XII chapter Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants states that pea seeds are non-albuminous, so option (d) is correct.

Tapetum helps in the dehiscence of anther

Exine of pollen grains is made up of sporopollenin

Pollen grains of many species cause severe allegies

Stored pollen in liquid nitrogen can be used in the crop breeding programmes

Solution

Dehiscence of anther occurs due to stomium cells of endothecium

Sporulation

Budding

Somatic hybridization

Apomixis

Solution

Apomixis is a special mechanism to produce seeds without fertilization.

Pollen grains of many species can germinate on the stigma of a flower, but only one pollen tube of the same species grows into the style.

Insects that consume pollen or nectar without bringing about pollination are called pollen nerctar⁄ robbers.

Pollen germination and pollen tube growth are regulated by chemical components of pollen interacting with those of the pistil.

Some reptiles have also been reported as pollinators in some plant species.

Solution

More the one pollen tube of same species can grow into the style. It is frequently found in nature.

Autogamy and xenogamy

Autogamy and geitonogamy

Geitonogamy and xenogamy

Cleistogamy and xenogamy

Solution

When unisexual male and female flowers are present on different plants the condition is called dioecious and it prevents both autogamy and geitonogamy.

(ii) (i) (iii) (v)

(ii) (iv) (v) (iii)

(ii) (iv) (iii) (v)

(iii) (iv) (v) (i)

Solution

Ref. XII NCERT Chapter- 10, Page No. 183

The enzyme recognizes a specific palindromic nucleotide sequence in the DNA

The enzyme cuts DNA molecule at identified position within the DNA

The enzyme binds DNA at specific sites and cuts only of the tow strands.

The enzyme cuts the sugar -phosphate backbone at specific sites on each strand.

Solution

It cuts both the strands

Salmonella typhi / Widal test

Plasmodium vivax / UTl test

Streptococcus / pneumoniae / Widal test

Salmonella typhi /Anthrone test

Solution

Factual- NCERT

(a) only

(a), (b) and (c)

(a) and (d)

Solution

Pollen grains inside the anther and embryo sac inside the ovule both consist of two generations, one within the other. Pollen grains contain microspores (haploid) and the embryo sac contains the female gametophyte (haploid) within the ovule (diploid), so option (d) is correct.

Xenogamy

Geitonogamy

Chasmogamy

Cleistogamy

Solution

Xenogamy refers to the transfer of pollen grains from the anthers of one plant to the stigma of a different plant, ensuring genetic diversity. NCERT XII chapter Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants defines xenogamy as cross-pollination between different plants, so option (a) is correct.

Synergids, antipodals and Polar nuclei

Synergids, Primary endosperm nucleus and zygote

Antipodals, synergids, and primary endosperm nucleus

Synergids, Zygote and Primary endosperm nucleus

Solution

In a fertilized embryo sac, the haploid structures are the synergids, the diploid structure is the zygote, and the triploid structure is the primary endosperm nucleus. NCERT XII chapter Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants outlines these ploidy levels, so option (d) is correct.

wind pollinated plants

insect pollinated plants

bird pollinated plants

bat pollinated plants

Solution

Large, colourful, fragrant flowers with nectar are characteristic of insect-pollinated plants, which attract pollinators through visual and olfactory cues. NCERT XII chapter Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants describes these features as adaptations for insect pollination, so option (b) is correct.

To protect seeds

To attract insects

To trap pollen grains

To disperse pollen grains

Solution

Tassels in corn are the male inflorescences that produce and disperse pollen grains. However, the question seems to refer to the silk, which is the style of the female flower and functions to trap pollen grains, so option (c) is correct. NCERT XII chapter Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants covers the structure and function of floral parts.

C, D and E only

A, B, C and D only

A, C, D and E only

B, C, D and E only

Solution

Flowers of Vallisneria are not colourful and do not produce nectar. Waterlily is pollinated by insect or wind. In water-pollinated species, pollen grains are protected from wetting by a mucilaginous covering. In some hydrophytes such as Vallisneria pollen grains are carried passively by water current.

Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A

A is true but R is false

A is false but R is true

Solution

Both wind and water pollinated flowers are not very colourful and do not produce nectar, this is because they rely on wind and water to carry their pollen. Wind and water pollinated flower do not need to attract insect, so they did not evolve to produce bright coloured flower.

Coleoptile

Coleorhiza

Integument

Aleurone layer

Solution

In monocot seeds, the outer covering of endosperm separates the embryo by a proteinous layer called aleurone layer.

Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A

A is true but R is false

A is false but R is true

Solution

A typical Angiosperm embryo sac, at maturity is 7-celled and 8 nucleate.

Polar nuclei are situated below the egg apparatus in the large central cell.

Three cells are grouped together at micropylar end and constitute the egg apparatus.

Hence, A is true but R is false.

Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A

A is true but R is false

A is false but R is true

Solution

Cell of the tapetum possess dense cytoplasm and generally have more than one nucleus because the presence of more than one nucleus in the tapetal cells increases the efficiency of nourishing the developing pollen grains.

2 Meiosis and 3 Mitosis

1 Meiosis and 2 Mitosis

1 Meiosis and 3 Mitosis

No Meiosis and 2 Mitosis

Solution

Development of a mature female gametophyte, i.e., embryo sac from a megaspore mother cell in an angiosperm plant requires 1 meiotic and 3 mitotic divisions.

Sexual Reproduction in Flowering PlantsNEET Botany · Class 12 · NCERT Chapter 1

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Sexual Reproduction in Flowering PlantsNEET Botany · Class 12 · NCERT Chapter 1

1NEET 2014Medium4 bookletsGeitonogamy involves -

2NEET 2014Medium4 bookletsMale gametophyte with least number of cells is present in -

3NEET 2014Medium4 bookletsAn aggregate fruit is one which develops from-

4NEET 2014Medium4 bookletsPollen tablets are available in the market for -

5NEET 2014Medium4 bookletsFunction of filiform apparatus is to -

6NEET 2014Medium4 bookletsNon-albuminous seed is produced in -

7NEET 2016Medium4 bookletsWhich one of the following statements is not true?

8NEET 2016Medium4 bookletsSeed formation without fertilization in flowering plants involves the process of:

9NEET 2016Medium4 bookletsWhich of the following statements is not correct?

10NEET 2017Medium5 bookletsA dioecious flowering plant prevents both:

11NEET 2019Medium5 bookletsmatch the following organisms with the products they produces : (a) Lactobacillus (i) Cheese (b) Saccharomyces (ii) Curd (c) Aspergillus niger (iii) Citric Acid (d) Acetobacter (iv) Bread (v) Acetic Acid Select the correct option. (a) (b) (c) (d)

12NEET 2019Medium5 bookletsFollowing statements describe the characteristies of the enzyme Restriction Endonuclease. Identify the incorrect statement.

13NEET 2019Medium3 bookletsIdentify the correct pair representing the causative agent of typhoid fever and the confirmatory test for typhoid.

14NEET 2020Medium24 bookletsThe plant parts which consist of two generations - one within the other : (a) Pollen grains inside the anther (b) Germinated pollen grain with two male gametes (c) Seed inside the fruit (d) Embryo sac inside the ovule

15NEET 2021Medium24 bookletsThe term used for transfer of pollen grains from anthers of one plant to stigma of a different plant which, during pollination, brings genetically different types of pollen grains to stigma, is :

16NEET 2023Medium24 bookletsIn angiosperm, the haploid, diploid and triploid structures of a fertilized embryo sac sequentially are :

17NEET 2023Medium24 bookletsLarge, colourful, fragrant flowers with nectar are seen in :

18NEET 2023Medium24 bookletsWhat is the function of tassels in the corn cob?

21NEET 2025Medium4 bookletsIn the seeds of cereals, the outer covering of endosperm separates the embryo by a protein-rich layer called :

24NEET 2025Medium4 bookletsHow many meiotic and mitotic divisions need to occur for the development of a mature female gametophyte from the megaspore mother cell in an angiosperm plant?

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