Understanding the external features of plants, or their morphology, is essential in studying classification and functions in botany. NCERT Chapter 5 introduces us to the morphology of flowering plants, focusing primarily on angiosperms. This chapter is high-scoring in NEET and includes important questions from structures like roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds.

Building on the concepts introduced in Unit II: Structural Organisation in Animals and Plants, this chapter focuses on understanding the external structures of flowering plants. It provides detailed insights into morphological adaptations that are crucial for plant survival, classification, and reproduction. From the root to the fruit, every organ is examined with special emphasis on its function and evolutionary significance. For NEET aspirants, this chapter is vital in mastering identification-based questions and structure-related functions that often appear in MCQs.

Chapter 5: Morphology of Flowering Plants emphasizes critical components like root and shoot systems, types of leaves, floral structures, fruits, and seeds. This knowledge lays the groundwork for interpreting diagrams, decoding floral formulas, and recognizing plant families such as Fabaceae, Solanaceae, and Liliaceae.

NEET Tip: Chapter 5 can fetch you 3–5 marks in NEET, especially through questions based on root/stem modifications, floral character recognition, and fruit types. Expect both theoretical and diagram-based questions, making consistent revision and visual memory key to scoring well.

What is Morphology in Plants?

Morphology refers to the study of external features or forms of living organisms. In plants, this includes the form and structure of their organs such as roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and seeds. This understanding helps in identification and classification. In the context of NEET, recognizing plant structures and their modifications can be helpful in solving direct factual questions or applying them to diagram-based MCQs.

Root System

The root is the descending part of the plant that anchors it in the soil and absorbs water and minerals. Root systems vary depending on the type of plant and environmental conditions. NEET frequently includes questions based on root modifications and their specific functions or examples.

Types of Roots:

• Tap Root: Typical of dicot plants, this system arises directly from the radicle. It consists of a main root that grows vertically downward with smaller lateral branches. These roots are deep-rooted and provide strong anchorage. Example: carrot, mustard.
• Fibrous Root: Found in monocots such as wheat and rice, this system comprises a cluster of similarly sized roots emerging from the base of the stem. It is more shallow and suited for quick absorption.
• Adventitious Root: These roots arise from parts of the plant other than the radicle. Examples include prop roots from the banyan tree for support and stilt roots in maize.

Functions of Roots:

• Absorption: Primary role is uptake of water and minerals from the soil.
• Anchorage: Fixes the plant firmly in place, ensuring stability.
• Storage: Modified roots like those in carrot, radish, and sweet potato store starch and nutrients.
• Special Functions: Include:
  • Respiration: Pneumatophores in mangroves exchange gases in waterlogged soils.
  • Mechanical Support: Prop and stilt roots add strength.
  • Assimilation: Some roots, such as in Trapa, perform photosynthesis.

NEET Focus:

• Identify root modifications based on structure and function.
• Recognize differences between dicot and monocot root systems.

Stem

The stem is the aerial part of the plant that grows upward from the plumule. It bears nodes, internodes, leaves, flowers, and fruits. Stems are vital for conduction and support. NEET often tests underground stem types and vegetative propagation techniques.

Functions of Stem:

• Support: Holds the plant upright and positions leaves for sunlight exposure.
• Conduction: Serves as a conduit for water, nutrients, and food between roots and leaves.
• Storage: Underground stems like tuber (potato), rhizome (ginger), and corm (Colocasia) act as storage organs.
• Vegetative Propagation: Some stems like sugarcane and mint reproduce vegetatively, forming new plants.

Stem Modifications:

• Storage Organs: Adaptations for storing food include:
  • Tuber: Example: Potato
  • Rhizome: Example: Ginger
  • Corm: Example: Colocasia
  • Bulb: Example: Onion
• Support Structures: Tendrils arise from axillary buds in climbers like grapevine, assisting in climbing.
• Protective Structures: Thorns serve as defense mechanisms in Bougainvillea and citrus.
• Photosynthetic Functions: In plants like Opuntia and Euphorbia, stems are green and photosynthetic due to leaf reduction.

NEET Focus:

• Match modified stems with their respective functions and examples.
• Identify vegetative propagation methods.

Leaf

Leaves are the primary photosynthetic organs of the plant. They typically consist of three parts: leaf base, petiole (stalk), and lamina (blade). Besides photosynthesis, they aid in transpiration and gaseous exchange. NEET questions often cover leaf arrangement, venation, and modifications.

Types of Leaves:

• Simple Leaf: Undivided lamina; may have incisions but not reaching midrib. Example: mango.
• Compound Leaf: Lamina divided into distinct leaflets.
  • Pinnately Compound: Leaflets arranged along both sides of a central rachis. Example: neem.
  • Palmately Compound: Leaflets radiate from a single point. Example: silk cotton.

Venation:

• Reticulate Venation: Veins form a net-like structure; characteristic of dicots.
• Parallel Venation: Veins run parallel to each other; typical of monocots.

Phyllotaxy (Leaf Arrangement):

• Alternate: Single leaf per node in alternating fashion. Example: sunflower.
• Opposite: A pair of leaves arise at each node opposite each other. Example: guava.
• Whorled: More than two leaves grow from a single node. Example: Alstonia.

Leaf Modifications:

• Tendrils: Help in climbing. Example: pea.
• Spines: Modified leaves for protection. Example: cactus.
• Storage Leaves: Fleshy leaves store water. Example: onion.
• Insectivory: Modified to trap insects for nutrients. Example: Nepenthes (pitcher plant).

NEET Focus:

• Differentiate monocots and dicots using leaf venation.
• Recognize phyllotaxy types and modifications with examples.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence refers to the mode of arrangement of flowers on the floral axis. It helps in identification and reproductive efficiency. NEET questions may ask about types and examples.

Types:

• Racemose: Indeterminate type. The main axis continues to grow and younger flowers are at the apex. Example: mustard.
• Cymose: Determinate type. The main axis ends in a flower, with older flowers at the apex. Example: jasmine.

NEET Focus:

• Identify inflorescence types with their growth patterns and examples.

Flower

A flower is a modified shoot specialized for reproduction. A typical flower consists of four concentric whorls: calyx, corolla, androecium, and gynoecium.

Parts:

• Calyx (Sepals): Green, outermost whorl that protects the bud.
• Corolla (Petals): Colored whorl that attracts pollinators.
• Androecium: Male reproductive part; consists of stamens (filament and anther).
• Gynoecium: Female reproductive part; consists of carpels (ovary, style, stigma).

Floral Symmetry:

• Actinomorphic: Radial symmetry; can be divided equally along multiple planes. Example: mustard.
• Zygomorphic: Bilateral symmetry; divisible in one plane only. Example: pea.
• Asymmetrical: No symmetry. Example: canna.

Placentation (Arrangement of Ovules):

• Marginal: Ovules placed along one side. Example: pea.
• Axile: Ovules attached to the central axis. Example: tomato.
• Parietal: Ovules on inner wall of ovary. Example: mustard.
• Free Central: Ovules attached to a central column not connected to the ovary wall. Example: dianthus.

NEET Focus:

• Label floral parts and identify floral symmetry.
• Classify placentation types based on ovule arrangement.

Fruit

Fruits are mature or ripened ovaries that develop after fertilization. In some cases, they form without fertilization (parthenocarpic fruits).

Types:

• Simple Fruit: From a single ovary. Example: mango.
• Aggregate Fruit: From multiple ovaries of a single flower. Example: strawberry.
• Multiple Fruit: From the ovaries of multiple flowers in an inflorescence. Example: pineapple.

Parts of a Fruit:

• Pericarp: Differentiated into three layers—epicarp (outer), mesocarp (middle), and endocarp (inner).
• Seed: Formed from the ovule, contains embryo and stored nutrients.

NEET Focus:

• Match fruit types to their examples.
• Identify pericarp layers and associated fruits.

Seed

Seeds are the result of fertilized ovules and serve as propagative structures for flowering plants.

Types:

• Monocotyledonous Seed: Single cotyledon, typically endospermic. Example: maize.
• Dicotyledonous Seed: Two cotyledons, may or may not be endospermic. Example: gram.

NEET Focus:

• Differentiate monocot and dicot seeds based on structure.
• Understand cotyledon role and endosperm presence.

Description of Some Important Families

This section includes the detailed floral characters of three angiosperm families often asked in NEET.

Fabaceae (Leguminosae):

• Flowers are zygomorphic.
• Stamens diadelphous (9+1 arrangement).
• Ovary superior with marginal placentation.
• Example: Pea, gram, beans.

Solanaceae:

• Flowers are actinomorphic.
• Corolla is fused (gamopetalous).
• Bicarpellary, syncarpous ovary with axile placentation.
• Example: Tomato, brinjal, chilli.

Liliaceae:

• Trimerous flowers (in multiples of three).
• Perianth present instead of separate calyx and corolla.
• Ovary is superior.
• Example: Aloe, tulip, onion.

NEET Focus:

• Memorize floral characters using floral formulas and diagrams.
• Match characteristics with family examples.

NEET Tips and Tricks

• Focus on floral formulas and diagrams.
• Memorize root, stem, leaf modifications with examples.
• Learn floral characters of Fabaceae, Solanaceae, and Liliaceae.
• Revise types of fruits and seed structures.
• Practice identifying monocots vs dicots using key features.

Illustrative NEET Questions

Here are some sample NEET-style questions that reflect the kind of morphology-based items often asked in the exam:

Q1. Which one of the following is a modification of stem for food storage?

• a) Tendril
• b) Rhizome
• c) Phyllode
• d) Thorn
  Answer: b) Rhizome

Q2. The floral formula ⚥, %, K(5), C1+2+(2), A(9)+1, G1 represents which plant family?

• a) Solanaceae
• b) Fabaceae
• c) Liliaceae
• d) Poaceae
  Answer: b) Fabaceae

Q3. A fibrous root system is primarily found in:

• a) Dicot plants
• b) Gymnosperms
• c) Monocot plants
• d) Bryophytes
  Answer: c) Monocot plants

Q4. Which of the following is a parthenocarpic fruit?

• a) Apple
• b) Mango
• c) Banana
• d) Guava
  Answer: c) Banana

Q5. Which structure in plants performs the dual function of photosynthesis and protection?

• a) Phyllode
• b) Petiole
• c) Leaf base
• d) Stipule
  Answer: a) Phyllode

FAQs

1. What are the most important topics in Morphology of Flowering Plants for NEET?

Roots, stem, leaf modifications, flower structure, floral formulas, and examples of plant families.

2. Are floral diagrams and formulas asked in NEET?

Yes, these are frequently asked, especially for plant family identification.

3. How to memorize plant families effectively?

Use mnemonics, flashcards, and repeated practice of diagrams.

4. Which plant families should I focus on?

Fabaceae, Solanaceae, and Liliaceae as they are often mentioned in NEET questions.

Conclusion

Chapter 5: Morphology of Flowering Plants builds your foundational understanding of plant structures and their classification, crucial for mastering botany. With NCERT-based preparation, diagram practice, and conceptual clarity, this chapter becomes a high-scoring area in NEET.