The Leaf — NEET Biology MCQs with Solutions
Free NEET Biology The Leaf MCQs with step-by-step solutions (31 questions). Part of Morphology of Flowering Plants. Practise online on Prepizo — no login needed.
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Questions with solutions
Q1 — The Leaf · easy · theory
In monocots such as grasses, the venation of the leaf is typically:
A. Parallel ✓ Correct
B. Reticulate
C. Furcate
D. Absent
Solution: Monocots show parallel venation; dicots usually show reticulate venation.
Q2 — The Leaf · easy · theory
The arrangement of leaves on a stem or branch is called:
A. Venation
B. Phyllotaxy ✓ Correct
C. Aestivation
D. Vernation
Solution: Phyllotaxy may be alternate, opposite or whorled.
Q3 — The Leaf · medium · theory
In a pinnately compound leaf (e.g. neem), the leaflets are borne on a:
A. Stipule
B. Common axis (rachis) ✓ Correct
C. Node directly
D. Common point at the tip of the petiole
Solution: In pinnately compound leaves leaflets are along a rachis; in palmately compound leaves they attach at a common point (e.g. silk cotton).
Q4 — The Leaf · medium · theory
The tendrils of pea and the spines of cactus are examples of modified:
A. Stems
B. Leaves ✓ Correct
C. Stipules only
D. Roots
Solution: In pea the terminal leaflets become tendrils; in cactus leaves become spines — both are leaf modifications (compare stem tendrils/thorns).
Q5 — The Leaf · hard · theory
The fleshy leaves of onion and garlic are modified for:
A. Photosynthesis only
B. Food and water storage ✓ Correct
C. Nitrogen fixation
D. Support
Solution: The scale leaves of onion/garlic bulbs are swollen with stored food; the pitcher of Nepenthes is an insect-trapping leaf modification.
Q6 — The Leaf · hard · theory
Which phyllotaxy is shown by China rose (alternate), Calotropis (opposite) and Alstonia (whorled)? The whorled arrangement means:
A. One leaf per node in alternating fashion
B. More than two leaves arise at a node ✓ Correct
C. Two leaves at each node
D. No leaves at nodes
Solution: Whorled phyllotaxy (Alstonia) has more than two leaves per node; alternate (China rose) one per node; opposite (Calotropis) two per node.
Q7 — The Leaf · easy · numerical
In the leaf of Alstonia, several leaves arise at a single node forming a ring around the stem. This type of phyllotaxy is:
A. Alternate
B. Whorled ✓ Correct
C. Decussate
D. Opposite
Solution: When more than two leaves arise in a circle at one node, the phyllotaxy is whorled, as in Alstonia. Alternate has one leaf per node, opposite has two.
Q8 — The Leaf · easy · numerical
A leaf blade is completely divided so that the incisions reach right down to the midrib, producing several distinct leaflets arranged along a common axis. Such a leaf is:
A. A palmately compound leaf
B. A simple leaf with pinnate venation
C. A simple leaf with deep lobes
D. A pinnately compound leaf ✓ Correct
Solution: When incisions reach the midrib (rachis) and leaflets are borne along it, the leaf is pinnately compound (e.g. neem). A simple leaf is never divided down to the midrib, however deep the lobes.
Q9 — The Leaf · medium · numerical
In silk cotton (Bombax), the leaflets of a compound leaf are all attached to a common point at the tip of the petiole, radiating like fingers of a palm. This leaf is:
A. Palmately compound ✓ Correct
B. Simple with reticulate venation
C. Pinnately compound
D. Simple with palmate venation
Solution: In a palmately compound leaf all leaflets attach at a single point at the petiole tip (silk cotton). In a pinnately compound leaf they are arranged along an elongated rachis.
Q10 — The Leaf · medium · numerical
In the insectivorous plant Nepenthes, a part of the leaf is modified into a pitcher for trapping insects. Which region of the leaf typically forms the pitcher, its lid and its tendril-like stalk?
A. The leaf base swells into the pitcher and the leaflets form the lid
B. The petiole forms the pitcher while the lamina becomes the lid
C. The lamina forms the pitcher while the petiole becomes the tendril and the leaf apex the lid ✓ Correct
D. The stipules fuse to form the pitcher and the midrib forms the lid
Solution: In Nepenthes the lamina is modified into the pitcher, the petiole into a tendril-like stalk and the leaf apex into the lid, together forming an insect-trapping device.
Q11 — The Leaf · medium · numerical
Which statement about venation is correct?
A. Parallel venation is generally found in dicot leaves and reticulate venation in monocot leaves
B. Venation type has no correlation with the number of cotyledons
C. Both dicots and monocots invariably show only reticulate venation
D. Reticulate venation is generally found in dicot leaves and parallel venation in monocot leaves ✓ Correct
Solution: A network arrangement of veins (reticulate) is typical of dicots, while veins running parallel is typical of monocots — a reliable morphological clue to the class.
Q12 — The Leaf · medium · numerical
In Australian Acacia the leaf blade does not develop; instead the petiole flattens, turns green and takes over photosynthesis. This modified petiole is a:
A. Phylloclade
B. Phyllode ✓ Correct
C. Cladode
D. Tendril
Solution: A phyllode is a green, flattened, photosynthetic petiole replacing the lamina, as in Australian Acacia. A phylloclade and cladode are modified stems, not petioles.
Q13 — The Leaf · hard · theory
Identify the correct pairing of plants and their characteristics: (i) Cassia-Imbricate aestivation, (ii) Lady finger-Twisted aestivation, (iii) Calotropis-Vexillary aestivation, (iv) Lily-Epipetalous stamens, (v) Alstonia-Whorled phyllotaxy, (vi) Silk cotton-Pinnately compound leaf.
A. (i), (ii), (v) ✓ Correct
B. (ii), (iv), (v), (vi)
C. (iii), (iv), (v), (vi)
D. (i), (ii), (v), (vi)
Solution: Calotropis has valvate (not vexillary) aestivation, Lily is epiphyllous (not epipetalous), and silk cotton has palmately (not pinnately) compound leaves.
Q14 — The Leaf · easy · theory
Broad part of leaf is -
A. Stipule
B. Lamina ✓ Correct
C. Leaf base
D. Petiole
Solution: The lamina (leaf blade) is the broad, green expanded part of the leaf.
Q15 — The Leaf · easy · theory
A plant with parallel venation is -
A. Mustard
B. Castor
C. China rose
D. Grass ✓ Correct
Solution: Grass is a monocot showing parallel venation; the others are dicots with reticulate venation.
Q16 — The Leaf · medium · theory
Whorled, simple leaves with reticulate venation are present in :
A. China rose
B. Mustard
C. Alstonia ✓ Correct
D. Calotropis
Solution: Alstonia shows whorled phyllotaxy with simple, reticulate-veined leaves.
Q17 — The Leaf · easy · theory
Phyllode is present in :-
A. Euphorbia
B. Australian Acacia ✓ Correct
C. Opuntia
D. Asparagus
Solution: In Australian Acacia the petiole flattens into a green leaf-like phyllode.
Q18 — The Leaf · easy · theory
A monocot can be distinguished from a dicot by:-
A. Venation ✓ Correct
B. Aestivation
C. Symmetry
D. Placentation
Solution: Monocots have parallel venation whereas dicots have reticulate venation, distinguishing them.
Q19 — The Leaf · easy · theory
Arrangement of leaves on a stem or branch is :-
A. Aestivation
B. Inflorescence
C. Phyllotaxy ✓ Correct
D. Venation
Solution: The pattern of arrangement of leaves on the stem is called phyllotaxy.
Q20 — The Leaf · easy · theory
In cacti the spines are modification of :-
A. Leaf ✓ Correct
B. Branch
C. Epidermis
D. Axillary bud
Solution: In cacti, leaves are reduced to spines to minimise transpiration.
Q21 — The Leaf · easy · theory
Which of the following is/are function(s) of the veins of a leaf?
A. Only transporting water and minerals
B. Only providing rigidity to the blade
C. Providing rigidity and transporting water, minerals and food ✓ Correct
D. Only transporting food materials
Solution: Veins give rigidity to the blade and transport water, minerals and food.
Q22 — The Leaf · medium · theory
Read the following statements and find out the incorrect statement.
A. A bud is present in the axil of a compound leaf but not in the axil of a simple leaf ✓ Correct
B. The lamina is the green expanded part of the leaf with veins and veinlets
C. A typical leaf consists of three main parts: leaf base, petiole and lamina
D. The leaf is attached to the stem by the leaf base while the petiole holds the blade to light
Solution: An axillary bud occurs in the axil of both simple and compound leaves (never in leaflet axils), so the first statement is incorrect.
Q23 — The Leaf · medium · theory
Fill in the blanks: (a) In ...1..., the leaf base expands into a ...2... covering the stem partially or wholly. (b) In some ...3... plants, the leaf base may become swollen, which is called ...4...
A. 1-monocotyledons, 2-pulvinus, 3-leguminous, 4-sheath
B. 1-monocotyledons, 2-sheath, 3-leguminous, 4-pulvinus ✓ Correct
C. 1-leguminous, 2-pulvinus, 3-monocotyledons, 4-sheath
D. 1-leguminous, 2-sheath, 3-monocotyledons, 4-pulvinus
Solution: In monocots the leaf base forms a sheath; in leguminous plants it swells into a pulvinus.
Q24 — The Leaf · easy · theory
The leaf base may bear two lateral small leaf-like structures called
A. Rachis
B. Stipules ✓ Correct
C. Midrib
D. Pulvinus
Solution: The small lateral leaf-like outgrowths at the leaf base are called stipules.
Q25 — The Leaf · easy · theory
Which one is a modified leaf?
A. Pitcher of Nepenthes, tendril of Pisum and spine of cactus ✓ Correct
B. Only the spine of cactus
C. Only the pitcher of Nepenthes
D. Only the tendril of Pisum sativum
Solution: Pitcher of Nepenthes, tendril of Pisum and spine of cactus are all leaf modifications.
Q26 — The Leaf · medium · theory
A leaf is identified from
A. Presence of a bud in its axil ✓ Correct
B. Flat green lamina alone
C. Occurrence of chlorophyll alone
D. Presence of a blade and petiole alone
Solution: A leaf always bears a bud in its axil, which distinguishes it from leaflets or other flat green organs.
Q27 — The Leaf · medium · theory
Assertion (A): In opposite phyllotaxy two leaves are borne on the opposite sides of a single node. Reason (R): Opposite phyllotaxy is seen in China rose and Oleander.
A. Assertion is false but reason is true
B. Both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion
C. Assertion is true but reason is false ✓ Correct
D. Both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion
Solution: Opposite phyllotaxy is correctly defined, but China rose shows alternate phyllotaxy (opposite is seen in Calotropis/guava), so the reason is false.
Q28 — The Leaf · medium · theory
Assertion (A): Leaf is a lateral outgrowth of the stem developed exogenously at the node. Reason (R): The floral characteristics form the basis of classification and identification of flowering plants.
A. Assertion is true, but reason is false
B. Both assertion and reason are true, but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion ✓ Correct
C. Both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion
D. Both assertion and reason are false
Solution: Both are true facts, but floral characteristics have nothing to do with the leaf being a lateral exogenous outgrowth.
Q29 — The Leaf · medium · theory
Whorled phyllotaxy with simple reticulate leaves occurs in
A. Calotropis
B. Alstonia ✓ Correct
C. Guava
D. Mustard
Solution: Alstonia shows whorled phyllotaxy with simple reticulately veined leaves.
Q30 — The Leaf · medium · theory
Leaves become modified into spines in
A. Silk cotton
B. Opuntia ✓ Correct
C. Pea
D. Onion
Solution: In Opuntia the leaves are reduced and modified into spines while the stem takes over photosynthesis; in pea the leaf tip forms a tendril.