Download practice questions

Practice Exams
1) (30 pts) Match the letter of the characteristics of an unknown plant on the right with the family name on
the left. Not all of the families will be used, but all plant descriptions should be matched to a family .
Violaceae
A) Two sepal-like bracts; many tepals; superior ovary; betalains
Solanaceae
B) Ten stamens; fused corolla; poricidal anther dehiscence; urnshaped flowers
Saxifragaceae
Salicaceae
Rosaceae
Portulacaceae
Polygonaceae
Polemoniaceae
Onagraceae
Malvaceae
C) Inferior ovary; stem succulents; axillary buds called areoles;
D) Many stamens; five fused carpels; free petals; compound leaves
with stipules
E) Ten stamens (nine fused to each other); zygomorphic symmetry;
lower 2 petals fused
F) Opposite leaved tree; four-parted flowers; nectary disk at base of
stamens
G) Four nutlets as fruit; corolla with corona; actinomorphic floral
symmetry
Lamiaceae
H) Cordate leaf bases; bilateral floral symmetry; polypetalous, with
lower petal forming a spur
Fagaceae
I)
Stellate hairs; 5-parted flowers; free petals; capsular fruit
Hydrophyllaceae
J)
Dioecious trees; alternate leaves; no perianth; hairy seeds
Fabaceae
K) Versatile anthers; 4-parted flowers; inferior ovary; herbaceous
Ericaceae
L) Epipetalous stamens; radial symmetry; capitate style; alkaloids
Caryophyllaceae
M) 3-parted flowers; sheathing leaf bases; 3-winged achenes
Cactaceae
N) Polypetalous; opposite leaves, swollen nodes; anthocyanin
pigments
Brassicaceae
Boraginaceae
Betulaceae
Aceraceae
O) Fused corolla; helicoid cyme; deeply divided style; capsular fruit
P) Both male and female flowers usually in catkins
Q) Unisexual flowers; wind pollinated; female flowers subtended by
many bracts
1
2) (6) [Note: this is a two part question] Briefly describe the difference between chasmogamous and
cleistogamous flowers. Then give one advantage and one disadvantage of each type of flower.
3) (4) Plants in the Fabaceae are among the first to colonize disturbed habitats, where bare soil is exposed.
For example, lupines were noted to be among the earliest plants observed growing on the “blast zone” of
Mt. St. Helens. What is there about the biology of plants in the Fabaceae that make them good colonizers
and also make good ‘citizens’ by helping prepare the way for other plants?
4) (16) Briefly contrast the following pairs of terms.
A. Monadelphous stamens vs. diadelphous stamens
B. Alkaloids vs. betalains
C. Trinucleate pollen vs. tricolpate pollen
D. Drupe vs. berry
2
5) (7) (3a) What is the term for the form of asexual reproduction in which a seed develops without
fertilization?
(5b) Describe how this can occur in a plant.
(5c) What are the consequences for the genetic variation in a population or species if this is the only form of
reproduction?
6) (15) Provide short definitions or explanations for the following (you may supplement with a drawing, but
don’t just answer with a drawing):
A) Mycotrophism
B) Silique
C) Schizocarp
D) Glochidia
E) Free central placentation
3
7) (12) Circle the best answer from the choices available with each question.
Which family could be combined with the Boraginaceae to fomr a monophyletic group?
a) Polemoniaceae
b) Brassicaceae
c) Hydrophyllaceae
d) Solanaceae
e) Onagraceae
The following are all characters of plants in the subclass Asteridae, EXCEPT:
a) tenuinucellate ovules
b) unitegmic ovules
c) corollas usually gamopetalous (fused)
d) betalain pigments
e) iridoid secondary chemical compunds
Which of the following traits is NOT typically associated with outcrossing flowers?
a) large showy flowers
b) high pollen to ovule ratios
c) all flowers produce mature fruits
d) self-incompatibility
e) nectar or other pollinator reward present
Which of the following is NOT typical of plants in the subclass Rosidae?
a) flowers polypetalous
b) two integuments surrounding the ovule
c) perianth parts arranged in whorls
d) monocolpate pollen
e) seeds with two cotyledons
4
1) Match the letter of the characteristics for a plant given below or on the right with the family on the left.
Not all of the choices of characteristics will be used, but all families should be represented. There should
be only one correct answer per family.
Apiaceae
a) two types of flowers on same plants called disk and ray flowers;
series of bracts surrounding inflorescence
Asteraceae
b) shrub with opposite leaves; 3 fused carpels with one mature seed in
fruit; inferior ovary
Caprifoliaceae
c) fruit a follicle; floral parts spirally arranged; 3 fused carpels;
alkaloids
Lamiaceae
Scrophulariaceae
d) ovary inferior; sheathing leaf base; 2 fused carpels forming a
schizocarp; inflorescence an umbel
e) 4 free petals, actinomorphic floral symmetry; inferior ovary
f) flowers bilabiate; fruit of four basally-attached nutlets; iridoids
present
g) didynamous stamens; bilabiate corolla; fruit a many seeded capsule;
5
2) Some families have very specialized structures that have their own terms to refer to them. Briefly describe
the following structures and identify a family they are found in. You may supplement your description
with an illustration.
A) Pseudanthium
B) Involucre
4) The “Parasitic Reduction Syndrome” describes similarities among parasitic plants. Several of these traits
are associated with the fact that these plants no longer need to undergo photosynthesis. List three traits that
are associated with the absence of photosynthesis and briefly describe why for each trait you list.
6
7) (15) Circle the best answer from the choices available with each question.
Plants that obtain part of their nutrition by photosynthesis, but still parasitize other plants are:
A) hemiparasites
B) commensals
C) autotrophs
D) heterotrophs
E) obligate parasites
The number of sets of chromosomes in an organism is called its
Q) karyotype
R) ploidy
S) chromosomal compatibility
T) chromosome base number
U) tetrasome
6) (4) Describe the structure and action of the ‘pollen pump’ mechanism of pollen presentation found in the
Asteraceae.
7
1) (30 pts) Match the letter of the characteristics of an unknown plant on the right with the family name on
the left. Not all of the families will be used, but all plant descriptions should be matched to a family .
<<NOTE THAT THERE ARE 2 POINTS FOR EACH CORRECT ANSWER AND 1 POINT WILL
BE DEDUCTED FOR FILLING A BLANK THAT SHOULD BE LEFT EMPTY>>
Aceraceae
Boraginaceae
Brassicaceae
Cactaceae
Caryophyllaceae
Ericaceae
Fabaceae
Hydrophyllaceae
Lamiaceae
Malvaceae
A) 3-parted flowers; Ocrea surrounding stem at base of leaf; 3-winged
achenes
B) 4 sepals; 4 petals; inferior ovary; 4 fused carpels
C) Cruciform petal arrangement; 6 stamens; fruit a silique
D) Dioecious trees; alternate leaves; no perianth; hairy seeds
E) Epipetalous stamens; radial symmetry; capitate style; alkaloids
F) Fused corolla; helicoid cyme; deeply divided style; capsular fruit
G) Hispid hairs on leaves; flowers in a scorpioid cyme; 2 carpels
forming 4 nutlets; radial floral symmetry
H) Inferior ovary; many perianth parts and may stamens attached to a
hypanthium; fruit a berry
I)
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria in root nodules; compound leaflet margins
entire; 10 stamens
Betulaceae
J)
Opposite leaves; swollen nodes; floral parts in 5; capsular fruit
Fagaceae
K) Stellate hairs on stems; actinomorphic flowers; numerous stamens
connate by their filaments; 5 fused carpels
Onagraceae
Polemoniaceae
Polygonaceae
Portulacaceae
Rosaceae
Salicaceae
Saxifragaceae
Solanaceae
Violaceae
L) Tough, leathery leaves; sympetalous flowers; 10 stamens; anthers
with terminal pores
M) Trees with opposite leaves; fruit a samaroid schizocarp; nectary disk
at base of stamens
N) Two sepal-like bracts; many tepals; superior ovary; succulent leaves
O) Zygomorphic flowers with lower petal spurred at base and containing
staminal nectary; 5-parted perianth
P) Wind pollinated, male flowers in catkins, fruit subtended by an
involucre of bracts
Q) Both male and female flowers usually in catkins; leaves doubly
serrate
8
4) (9) We have studied a number of families that are characterized by unique stamen arrangements. Briefly
describe the following stamen arrangements AND give an example of a family that exhibits the condition.
A. Tetradynamous
5) Diadelphous
6) Monadelphous
7) Briefly contrast the following pairs of terms, indicating what they have in common and how they differ.
a)
distyly and tristyly
b) protandry and protogyny
7) (14) Circle the best answer from the choices available with each question.
Which family could be combined with the Boraginaceae to form a monophyletic group?
f) Polemoniaceae
g) Brassicaceae
h) Hydrophyllaceae
i) Solanaceae
j) Lamiaceae
What combination of traits would be the most convincing evidence that a plant belongs to subclass Asteridae?
f) tenuinucellate ovules; two whorls of stamens; iridoid compounds
g) unitegmic ovules; tenuinucellate ovules; iridoid compounds
h) gamopetalous corollas; 5-parted perianth; betalain pigments
i) iridoid compounds; bitegmic ovules; epipetalous stamens
j) polypetalous flowers; two fused carpels; tenuinucellate ovules
9
Which of the following is NOT typical of plants in the subclass Rosidae?
f) monocolpate pollen
g) flowers polypetalous
h) two integuments surrounding the ovule
i) perianth parts arranged in whorls
j) seeds with two cotyledons
The nutritive tissue for the developing seed in plants of the Caryophyllales is called
a) Endosperm
b) Betalain
c) Centrosperm
d) Perisperm
e) Sieve-tube plastid
Which of the following traits is NOT a characteristic of plants in the Cactaceae?
a) Paired bracts associated with each flower
b) Succulent stems
c) Modified leaves called glochidia
d) Axillary buds called areoles
e) Inferior ovary
A flower that self-pollinates without opening is called
a) Agamospermous
b) Apomictic
c) Inferior
d) Monadelphous
e) Cleistogamous
Which of the following statements about plants in the Fabaceae is NOT true:
a) Some flowers are zygomorphic, while some are actinomorphic
b) Some fruits are legumes, while others are capsules
c) Some flowers have fused stamens, while in others the stamens are all free
d) Some flowers have two petals fused, while in others all petals are free
e) Some plants have ‘flag’ flowers, while others have ‘brush’ flowers
10
1) Match the letter of the characteristics for a plant given below or on the right with the family on the left.
Not all of the choices of characteristics will be used, but all families should be represented. There should
be only one correct answer per family.
Apiaceae
a) two types of flowers on same plants called disk and ray flowers;
series of bracts surrounding inflorescence
b) 6 showy tepals; 6 stamens; superior ovary
c) shrub with opposite leaves; 3 fused carpels with one mature seed in
fruit; inferior ovary
Asteraceae
d) fruit a follicle; floral parts spirally arranged; 3 fused carpels;
alkaloids
e) 3-ranked leaves; single ovule in superior ovary; no perianth; stem
hollow
f) monoecious; basal, linear leaves; wetland plant;
Caprifoliaceae
g) flowers zygomorphic; pollen aggregated into pollinia; ovary inferior
h) 6 showy tepals; leaves basal and 2-ranked; radial symmetry; inferior
ovary
i) ovary inferior; sheathing leaf base; 2 fused carpels forming a
schizocarp; inflorescence an umbel
Lamiaceae
j) 3-ranked leaves; many-seeded capsule; 3-parted flowers; stem round,
solid; flowers inconspicuous, wind-pollinated
k) 4 free petals, actinomorphic floral symmetry; inferior ovary
l) flowers bilabiate; fruit of four basally-attached nutlets; iridoids
present
m) plant monoecious; inflorescence surrounded by a single showy
bract; smell of carrion
Scrophulariaceae
n) infloresescence, called a spikelet, subtended by 2 bracts,
zygomorphic; wind pollinated; stems hollow
o) didynamous stamens; bilabiate corolla; fruit a many seeded capsule;
11
2) Fill in the blanks to make the following statements complete and correct.
A) The type of inflorescence found in the Apiaceae is a/an
; this aggregation of many small
flowers to form a single unit for attracting pollinators sometimes is called a/an
.
B) A plant that lacks chlorophyll and derives all of its food from another plant is a/an
,
whereas a plant that contains chlorophyll and is capable of photosynthesis, but still derives some of its
nutrition from another plant is a/an
.
C) The ‘parachute’ on a dandelion seed is a modified calyx, or
.
3) (48) Circle the best answer from the choices available with each question.
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the parasitic reduction syndrome?
B. Small overall size of plant
C. Fast rate of gene/DNA evolution
D. Loss of chlorophyll and other photosynthetic pigments
E. Loss of roots
F. Reduction in floral display
Which of the following stamen arrangements characterizes most members of the Lamiaceae and Scrophulariaceae?
k) Tetradynamous stamens
l) Monadelphlous stamens
m) Monophyletic stamens
n) Didynamous stamens
o) Diadelphous stamens
“Spurious endemism” can arise from which of the following processes/activities?
a) “Taxonomic inflation” resulting from splitting widespread species into many small species
b) “Release from selection,” in which a broader range of phenotypes survive to reproduce in the next generation.
c) “Weed invasions” resulting in plants being distributed more widely than their natural range
d) “Local extinction” resulting from destructive actions of humans
e) “Punctuated equilibrium,” in which species appear to arise instantaneously in the fossil record
An endemic species …
k) is widespread, but never very abundant
l) is always rare
m) is found all over the world and is very abundant
n) is highly invasive in disturbed habitats
o) is restricted to a specified geographic range
The characteristic that provides the best means of distinguishing the Scrophulariaceae from the Lamiaceae is
f) the shape of the stem in cross-section
g) floral symmetry
h) number of ovules in the ovary
i) the number and arrangement of stamens
j) leaf arrangement
Parasitic plants connect to the host plant by means of a structure called a:
f) root nodule
g) cyanobacterium
h) heterotroph
i) haustorium
j) endosymbiont
12
1) (30 pts) Match the letter of the family on the right with the unknown plant described on the
left. Not all of the families will be used, but all plant descriptions should be matched to a family .
3-winged achenes; 3-parted flowers; Ocrea surrounding
stem at base of leaf
4 fused carpels; 4 sepals; 4 petals; inferior ovary
Fruit a silique; cruciform petal arrangement; 2 fused
carpels
No perianth; dioecious trees; alternate leaves; hairy seeds
Capitate style; epipetalous stamens; radial symmetry;
alkaloids
Capsular fruit; fused corolla; helicoid cyme; deeply
divided style;
Radial floral symmetry; flowers in a scorpioid cyme; 2
carpels forming 4 nutlets;
Green succulent stems; inferior ovary; many perianth
parts; fruit a berry;
Two petals fused, others free; bilaterial symmetry;
compound leaves with entire margins
Floral parts in 5; capsular fruit; opposite leaves; swollen
nodes;
5 fused carpels; stellate hairs on stems; actinomorphic,
polypetalous flowers; palmate leaf venation
Tough, leathery leaves; urn-shaped flowers; 5 fused
carpels
Fruit a samaroid schizocarp; trees with opposite leaves;
palmate leaf venation
Superior ovary; succulent leaves; two sepal-like bracts;
many tepals
Zygomorphic flowers; 5-parted perianth; petals not
fused; 3 fused carpels
13
A) Aceraceae
B) Boraginaceae
C) Brassicaceae
D) Cactaceae
E) Caryophyllaceae
F) Ericaceae
G) Fabaceae
H) Hydrophyllaceae
I)
Malvaceae
J)
Onagraceae
K) Polemoniaceae
L) Polygonaceae
M) Portulacaceae
N) Rosaceae
O) Salicaceae
P) Saxifragaceae
Q) Solanaceae
R) Violaceae
2) (14) Fill in the following table in information about the androecium (stamens). Each row should have a
descriptive term for the anther or anther arrangement, a family in which it is found and a description of the
condition. One cell of each row is filled in for you and you have to fill in the other appropriate spaces.
The first row is filled in as an example.
Term
Family
Description (may include illustration)
Versatile anther
Onagraceae
Anther attached to filament is such a way that it can
rock back and forth readily.
Malvaceae
Diadelphous
Brassicaceae
No term available
Two nectar producing stamens
in the petal spur
14
4) (15) Provide short definitions or explanations for the following (you may supplement
with a drawing, but don’t just answer with a drawing):
Distyly
Perisperm
Endemic species
Areole
Free-central placentation
5) (10) Here
•
•
•
•
•
are five traits commonly found in families assigned to the Asteridae.
Single integument
Two fused carpels
Iridoid secondary compounds
Fused corollas
Ovules with a thin nucellus (tenuinucellate ovulets)
Which of these five traits are considered to be synapomorphies for the group as
recognized today.
Name one of the traits that IS NOT a synapomorphy and identify a family that does not
have this trait, but is still assigned to Asteridae.
Name one of the traits that IS considered to be a synapomorphy and identify a family that
does not have this trait.
15
6) (12) Circle the best answer from the choices available with each question.
Which of the following is NOT a mechanism used by plants to prevent self-pollination?
a) Physical separation of stamens and stigmas
b) Protandry
c) Geitonogamy
d) Dioecy
e) Self-incompatibility
Which
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
term refers to flowers that self-fertilize in the bud without ever opening?
Cleistogamy
Distyly
Apomixis
Embyrogeny
Outcrossing
Which
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
of the following is not an example of asexual reproduction?
Rhizomes
Autogamy
Bulbils
Agamospermy
Layering
Which
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
of the following is a potential advantage of self-pollination?
Reduces the chance of expression of deleterious genes
Promotes inbreeding depression
Increases the exchange of genetic material
Assures seed set, when no pollinators are available
Only one set of genes passed to next generation
9) (6) Plant roots often form associations with other organisms in the soil that are
beneficial to the plant. Briefly describe TWO such associations and a family that we have
covered in this portion of the class that is associated with each.
16
1) Match the letter of the plant familyn on the right with the plant description on the left. Not all of the
plant descriptions will have a family to match, but all families should be used. There should be only
one correct answer per family.
Herb with long, slender leaves in three ranks around the stem;
small, inconspicuous, radially-symmetric flowers with 3 sepals, 3
petals, 6 stamens, and 3 fused carpels
Shrub with opposite leaves, bilaterally symmetric flowers with
didynamous stamens, and an ovary of two fused carpels each
separated into two distinct chambers containing one ovule
Shrubs with tough leathery alternate leaves and pendant urnshaped flowers with anthers opening by terminal pores.
Herb with opposite leaves, square stems, bilabiate corollas, and
ovaries of two fused carpels each with many ovules, and a capsular
fruit.
Herb with finely divided leaves and sheathing leaf bases, many
small 5-parted, polypetalous flowers arranged into a flat-topped
inflorescence
\
Vine with opposite leaves, bilabiate corollas having 4 upper
lobes and 1 lower lobe, and an inferior ovary
Herb with alternate leaves and many small sympetalous flowers
clustered into a compact head surrounded by a series of green
bracts
Herb with 3-ranked leaves and triangular stems; one bract at base
of inflorescence and one bract at the base of each flower
17
a)
Apiaceae
b) Asteraceae
c)
Caprifoliaceae
d) Lamiaceae
e)
Scrophulariaceae
f)
Ericaceae
4) (6) You have found a plant growing in the canopy of a large tree. You are unsure whether it is a
parasite. Describe three morphological characteristics you would look for to determine that it is or is not a
parasite.
5a) (2) What is an alien plant?
5b) (8) There are two fundamental ways in which invasive plants can drive out native plant species:
through competition and through altering, or engineering, the environment. Describe TWO ways that
EACH of these can happen.
5c) (4) Name two “endangered habitats” in Washington state and describe why each is considered to be in
danger of disappearing.
18
7) Circle the best answer from the choices available with each question.
1) Which of the following stamen arrangements characterizes most members of the Lamiaceae and
Scrophulariaceae?
a) Tetradynamous stamens
b) Monadelphlous stamens
c) Monophyletic stamens
d) Didynamous stamens
e) Diadelphous stamens
2) Which of the following terms is not used to describe a part of the flower or inflorescence in Asteraceae?
a) pappus
b) disk floret
c) capitulum
d) spathe
e) cypsela
3) Protandry is
a) the syndrome in which cross-pollination is required before to self-pollination can be successful
b) the fusion of the anthers to each other, as in Asteraceae
c) the physical separation of the anthers from the stigma to prevent self-pollination
d) the biochemical response that causes a pollen grain to abort after germinating on the stigma of the same
flower
e) the maturation of the anthers prior to stigma receptivity in a given flower
3a) (3) What is serpentine soil?
3b) (4) Why is serpentine soil associated with both narrow endemism AND rarity in plants?
5b) (3) In this class it has been pointed out frequently that DNA sequence data often can
do a better job of determining the relationships among plants than morphology. Why is
this trend sometimes reversed when determining the relationship of parasitic plants to
non-parasitic relatives?
19
5b) (4) Describe one way in which speciation may occur gradually and one way in which it
may occur rapidly.
7) (6) What is meant when a species is called a “community engineer.” Give TWO examples of how this can
happen.
20