BIOL180 Practice Exam 8 Plant
Structure and Function Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. Which plant tissue is primarily responsible for producing new cells
through active cell division?
A. Sclerenchyma
B. Xylem
C. Meristematic tissue
D. Phloem
Answer: C. Meristematic tissue
Rationale: Meristematic tissue contains actively dividing cells that
generate new cells for plant growth. Apical meristems contribute to
primary growth, while lateral meristems contribute to secondary
growth.
2. Which structure is primarily responsible for absorbing water and
mineral ions from the soil?
A. Root hairs
B. Stomata
C. Guard cells
D. Trichomes
Answer: A. Root hairs
,Rationale: Root hairs are extensions of epidermal cells that greatly
increase the surface area available for absorption of water and
dissolved minerals from the soil.
3. What is the primary function of xylem tissue?
A. Transporting sugars from leaves
B. Producing pollen
C. Protecting the plant surface
D. Transporting water and mineral ions
Answer: D. Transporting water and mineral ions
Rationale: Xylem conducts water and dissolved mineral nutrients
primarily from roots toward stems and leaves. Mature xylem
conducting cells are generally dead and have lignified walls that
provide structural support.
4. Which tissue transports organic nutrients such as sucrose
throughout a plant?
A. Epidermis
B. Phloem
C. Xylem
D. Collenchyma
Answer: B. Phloem
Rationale: Phloem transports organic compounds, especially sucrose,
from sources such as mature leaves to sinks such as roots, fruits,
seeds, and growing tissues.
5. Which region of a root contains cells that divide most actively?
A. Root cap
B. Zone of elongation
,C. Zone of maturation
D. Apical meristem
Answer: D. Apical meristem
Rationale: The root apical meristem contains actively dividing cells.
These newly produced cells later elongate and differentiate as they
move away from the root tip.
6. What is the main function of the root cap?
A. Producing chlorophyll
B. Protecting the root apical meristem
C. Transporting sugars
D. Opening stomata
Answer: B. Protecting the root apical meristem
Rationale: The root cap protects the delicate meristematic cells as the
root pushes through soil. Its cells can also contribute to sensing
gravity and guiding root growth.
7. Which tissue is composed of living cells with unevenly thickened
walls and commonly provides flexible support?
A. Collenchyma
B. Sclerenchyma
C. Xylem
D. Cork
Answer: A. Collenchyma
Rationale: Collenchyma consists of living cells whose walls are
unevenly thickened. It provides flexible mechanical support to growing
plant organs, particularly young stems and leaves.
, 8. Which plant tissue generally consists of cells with thick, lignified
secondary walls and provides strong structural support?
A. Parenchyma
B. Phloem
C. Sclerenchyma
D. Epidermis
Answer: C. Sclerenchyma
Rationale: Sclerenchyma cells have thick, lignified walls and provide
rigid structural support. Fibers and sclereids are major types of
sclerenchyma.
9. What is the primary function of the epidermis in a young plant
organ?
A. Producing ATP
B. Conducting sugars
C. Protecting internal tissues
D. Producing gametes
Answer: C. Protecting internal tissues
Rationale: The epidermis forms an outer protective layer around young
roots, stems, and leaves. It helps reduce damage and, in leaves and
stems, may contribute to limiting water loss through its cuticle.
10. Which structure regulates gas exchange and water loss in
most leaves?
A. Stomata
B. Root hairs
C. Lenticels
D. Veins
Structure and Function Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. Which plant tissue is primarily responsible for producing new cells
through active cell division?
A. Sclerenchyma
B. Xylem
C. Meristematic tissue
D. Phloem
Answer: C. Meristematic tissue
Rationale: Meristematic tissue contains actively dividing cells that
generate new cells for plant growth. Apical meristems contribute to
primary growth, while lateral meristems contribute to secondary
growth.
2. Which structure is primarily responsible for absorbing water and
mineral ions from the soil?
A. Root hairs
B. Stomata
C. Guard cells
D. Trichomes
Answer: A. Root hairs
,Rationale: Root hairs are extensions of epidermal cells that greatly
increase the surface area available for absorption of water and
dissolved minerals from the soil.
3. What is the primary function of xylem tissue?
A. Transporting sugars from leaves
B. Producing pollen
C. Protecting the plant surface
D. Transporting water and mineral ions
Answer: D. Transporting water and mineral ions
Rationale: Xylem conducts water and dissolved mineral nutrients
primarily from roots toward stems and leaves. Mature xylem
conducting cells are generally dead and have lignified walls that
provide structural support.
4. Which tissue transports organic nutrients such as sucrose
throughout a plant?
A. Epidermis
B. Phloem
C. Xylem
D. Collenchyma
Answer: B. Phloem
Rationale: Phloem transports organic compounds, especially sucrose,
from sources such as mature leaves to sinks such as roots, fruits,
seeds, and growing tissues.
5. Which region of a root contains cells that divide most actively?
A. Root cap
B. Zone of elongation
,C. Zone of maturation
D. Apical meristem
Answer: D. Apical meristem
Rationale: The root apical meristem contains actively dividing cells.
These newly produced cells later elongate and differentiate as they
move away from the root tip.
6. What is the main function of the root cap?
A. Producing chlorophyll
B. Protecting the root apical meristem
C. Transporting sugars
D. Opening stomata
Answer: B. Protecting the root apical meristem
Rationale: The root cap protects the delicate meristematic cells as the
root pushes through soil. Its cells can also contribute to sensing
gravity and guiding root growth.
7. Which tissue is composed of living cells with unevenly thickened
walls and commonly provides flexible support?
A. Collenchyma
B. Sclerenchyma
C. Xylem
D. Cork
Answer: A. Collenchyma
Rationale: Collenchyma consists of living cells whose walls are
unevenly thickened. It provides flexible mechanical support to growing
plant organs, particularly young stems and leaves.
, 8. Which plant tissue generally consists of cells with thick, lignified
secondary walls and provides strong structural support?
A. Parenchyma
B. Phloem
C. Sclerenchyma
D. Epidermis
Answer: C. Sclerenchyma
Rationale: Sclerenchyma cells have thick, lignified walls and provide
rigid structural support. Fibers and sclereids are major types of
sclerenchyma.
9. What is the primary function of the epidermis in a young plant
organ?
A. Producing ATP
B. Conducting sugars
C. Protecting internal tissues
D. Producing gametes
Answer: C. Protecting internal tissues
Rationale: The epidermis forms an outer protective layer around young
roots, stems, and leaves. It helps reduce damage and, in leaves and
stems, may contribute to limiting water loss through its cuticle.
10. Which structure regulates gas exchange and water loss in
most leaves?
A. Stomata
B. Root hairs
C. Lenticels
D. Veins
