Algae are chlorophyll-bearing, simple, thalloid (undifferentiated into root, stem and leaf), photosynthetic, autotrophic organisms found predominantly in fresh and salt water, though also on moist stones, soil and wood, and in symbiotic association with fungi (as lichens) or animals. Their body form ranges from unicellular (Chlamydomonas) and colonial (Volvox) to filamentous (*Ulothrix
Plant Kingdom
Class 1123 previous-year questions from this chapter every option and the correct answer, free · where the marks are
1. Algae
Exam focus: NEET draws heavily on one table — Chlorophyceae stores true starch, Phaeophyceae stores it as laminarin or mannitol, Rhodophyceae as floridean starch, each with its own matching pigment set — and wrong options routinely swap the storage product or pigment between two of the three classes.
Plant Kingdom — Full Chapter (incl. Algae)
Competition Wallah
Full Plant Kingdom chapter video with a clear algae segment early on, bundled with bryophytes/pteridophytes/gymnosperms.
BotanyNEET 2024show ▾Read the following statements and choose the set of correct statements. In the members of Phaeophyceae:
A. Asexual reproduction occurs usually by biflagellate zoospores.
B. Sexual reproduction is by the oogamous method only.
C. Stored food is in the form of carbohydrates, which is either mannitol or laminarin.
D. The major pigments found are chlorophyll a, c and carotenoids and xanthophyll.
E. Vegetative cells have a cellulosic wall, usually covered on the outside by a gelatinous coating of algin.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
- A.B, C, D and E only
- B.A, C, D and E only✓
- C.A, B, C and E only
- D.A, B, C and D only
Solution
In Phaeophyceae (brown algae) asexual reproduction is by biflagellate zoospores (A); food is stored as mannitol or laminarin (C); pigments are chlorophyll a, c, carotenoids and xanthophyll (D); the wall is cellulose coated with algin (E). Sexual reproduction may be isogamous, anisogamous or oogamous, so B is false. Hence A, C, D and E.
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Save for spaced revision (free account)BotanyNEET 2022show ▾The hydrocolloid carrageen is obtained from:
- A.Phaeophyceae only
- B.Chlorophyceae and Phaeophyceae
- C.Phaeophyceae and Rhodophyceae
- D.Rhodophyceae only✓
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BotanyNEET 2022show ▾Which of the following is incorrectly matched?
- A.Volvox – Starch
- B.Ectocarpus – Fucoxanthin
- C.Ulothrix – Mannitol✓
- D.Porphyra – Floridean starch
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BotanyNEET 2021show ▾Which of the following algae produce carrageen?
- A.Green algae
- B.Brown algae
- C.Red algae✓
- D.Blue-green algae
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BotanyNEET 2021show ▾Which of the following plants is monoecious?
- A.Carica papaya
- B.Chara✓
- C.Marchantia polymorpha
- D.Cycas circinalis
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BotanyNEET 2021show ▾Which of the following algae contains mannitol as reserve food material?
- A.Ectocarpus✓
- B.Gracilaria
- C.Volvox
- D.Ulothrix
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BotanyNEET 2020show ▾Which of the following pairs is of unicellular algae?
- A.Laminaria and Sargassum
- B.Gelidium and Gracilaria
- C.Anabaena and Volvox
- D.Chlorella and Spirulina✓
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BotanyNEET 2020show ▾Floridean starch has a structure similar to:
- A.Starch and cellulose
- B.Amylopectin and glycogen✓
- C.Mannitol and algin
- D.Laminarin and cellulose
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2. Bryophytes and pteridophytes
Exam focus: One distinction organises this whole comparison: the gametophyte is the dominant, independent generation in bryophytes, while in pteridophytes the sporophyte is dominant and independent and the gametophyte (prothallus) is reduced to a small, short-lived stage.
Plant Kingdom — Full Chapter (incl. Bryophytes and Pteridophytes)
Competition Wallah
Same full-chapter video, with dedicated bryophyte/liverwort/moss and pteridophyte segments.
ZoologyNEET 2025show ▾In bryophytes, the gemmae help in which one of the following?
- A.Sexual reproduction
- B.Asexual reproduction✓
- C.Nutrient absorption
- D.Gaseous exchange
Solution
Gemmae are green, multicellular buds formed in gemma cups on the thallus of liverworts such as Marchantia; they detach and grow into new plants — asexual reproduction.
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Save for spaced revision (free account)BotanyNEET 2025show ▾The correct sequence of events in the life cycle of bryophytes is:
A. Fusion of antherozoid with egg
B. Attachment of gametophyte to the substratum
C. Reduction division to produce haploid spores
D. Formation of sporophyte
E. Release of antherozoids into water
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
- A.D, E, A, C, B
- B.B, E, A, C, D
- C.B, E, A, D, C✓
- D.D, E, A, B, C
Solution
The gametophyte attaches to the substratum (B), releases antherozoids into water (E), an antherozoid fuses with the egg (A), the sporophyte develops on the gametophyte (D), and meiosis in the capsule produces haploid spores (C). So B, E, A, D, C.
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Save for spaced revision (free account)BotanyNEET 2025show ▾Given below are the stages in the life cycle of pteridophytes. Arrange the following stages in the correct sequence.
A. Prothallus stage
B. Meiosis in spore mother cells
C. Fertilisation
D. Formation of archegonia and antheridia in the gametophyte
E. Transfer of antherozoids to the archegonia in the presence of water
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
- A.B, A, D, E, C✓
- B.B, A, E, C, D
- C.D, E, C, A, B
- D.E, D, C, B, A
Solution
Spore mother cells undergo meiosis to make spores (B); spores germinate into the prothallus (A); it forms antheridia and archegonia (D); antherozoids swim to the archegonia in water (E); fertilisation follows (C). So B, A, D, E, C.
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Save for spaced revision (free account)ZoologyNEET 2025show ▾Match List I with List II.
List I List II A. Pteridophyte I. Salvia B. Bryophyte II. Ginkgo C. Angiosperm III. Polytrichum D. Gymnosperm IV. Salvinia
Choose the option with all correct matches:
- A.A-III, B-IV, C-II, D-I
- B.A-IV, B-III, C-I, D-II✓
- C.A-III, B-IV, C-I, D-II
- D.A-IV, B-III, C-II, D-I
Solution
Salvinia is a pteridophyte (IV); Polytrichum a moss, i.e. bryophyte (III); Salvia an angiosperm (I); Ginkgo a gymnosperm (II).
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Save for spaced revision (free account)BotanyNEET 2023show ▾Given below are two statements: one labelled as Assertion A and the other labelled as Reason R.
Assertion A: The first stage of the gametophyte in the life cycle of moss is the protonema stage.
Reason R: Protonema develops directly from spores produced in the capsule.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
- A.Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A✓
- B.Both A and R are correct but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
- C.A is correct but R is not correct
- D.A is not correct but R is correct
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BotanyNEET 2023show ▾Identify the pair of heterosporous pteridophytes among the following:
- A.Lycopodium and Selaginella
- B.Selaginella and Salvinia✓
- C.Psilotum and Salvinia
- D.Equisetum and Salvinia
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BotanyNEET 2021show ▾Gemmae are present in:
- A.Mosses
- B.Pteridophytes
- C.Some gymnosperms
- D.Some liverworts✓
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BotanyNEET 2021show ▾Genera like Selaginella and Salvinia produce two kinds of spores. Such plants are known as:
- A.Homosorus
- B.Heterosorus
- C.Homosporous
- D.Heterosporous✓
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BotanyNEET 2020show ▾Strobili or cones are found in:
- A.Salvinia
- B.Pteris
- C.Marchantia
- D.Equisetum✓
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BotanyNEET 2019show ▾From an evolutionary point of view, retention of the female gametophyte with the developing young embryo on the parent sporophyte for some time is first observed in:
- A.Liverworts
- B.Mosses
- C.Pteridophytes✓
- D.Gymnosperms
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3. Gymnosperms and angiosperms; alternation of generations
Exam focus: The gymnosperm fact NEET returns to again and again: their endosperm forms before fertilisation, as part of the haploid female gametophyte — the opposite of angiosperms, where the endosperm is triploid precisely because it is a product of fertilisation itself, via triple fusion.
Plant Kingdom — Full Chapter (incl. Gymnosperms and Alternation of Generations)
Competition Wallah
Same video covers gymnosperms directly; alternation of generations is discussed across the algae/bryophyte/pteridophyte/gymnosperm segments rather than as one isolated block, so that framing may be lighter than a dedicated video.
ZoologyNEET 2025show ▾Which one of the following is the characteristic feature of gymnosperms?
- A.Seeds are enclosed in fruits
- B.Seeds are naked✓
- C.Seeds are absent
- D.Gymnosperms have flowers for reproduction
Solution
Gymnosperms bear naked seeds on megasporophylls; the ovules are not enclosed in an ovary, so there is no fruit.
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Save for spaced revision (free account)BotanyNEET 2023show ▾Given below are two statements: one labelled as Assertion A and the other labelled as Reason R.
Assertion A: In gymnosperms the pollen grains are released from the microsporangium and carried by air currents.
Reason R: Air currents carry the pollen grains to the mouth of the archegonia, where the male gametes are discharged and a pollen tube is not formed.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:
- A.Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
- B.Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
- C.A is true but R is false✓
- D.A is false but R is true
The worked solution is part of a paid pack.
BotanyNEET 2022show ▾Match the plant with the kind of life cycle it exhibits.
List-I List-II (a) Spirogyra (i) Dominant diploid sporophyte vascular plant, with highly reduced male or female gametophyte (b) Fern (ii) Dominant haploid free-living gametophyte (c) Funaria (iii) Dominant diploid sporophyte alternating with reduced gametophyte called prothallus (d) Cycas (iv) Dominant haploid leafy gametophyte alternating with partially dependent multicellular sporophyte
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
- A.(a)-(ii), (b)-(iv), (c)-(i), (d)-(iii)
- B.(a)-(iv), (b)-(i), (c)-(ii), (d)-(iii)
- C.(a)-(ii), (b)-(iii), (c)-(iv), (d)-(i)✓
- D.(a)-(iii), (b)-(iv), (c)-(i), (d)-(ii)
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BotanyNEET 2019show ▾Phloem in gymnosperms lacks:
- A.Albuminous cells and sieve cells
- B.Sieve tubes only
- C.Companion cells only
- D.Both sieve tubes and companion cells✓
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BotanyNEET 2019show ▾A Pinus seed cannot germinate and become established without fungal association. This is because:
- A.Its embryo is immature
- B.It has an obligate association with mycorrhizae✓
- C.It has a very hard seed coat
- D.Its seeds contain inhibitors that prevent germination
The worked solution is part of a paid pack.