Grade 7 Q&A: Chapter 2: Plants: Structure and Function

Concept Questions

Q1: What are the two main types of root systems in plants?

Answer: The two main types of root systems are the taproot system and the fibrous root system.

Q2: What is the primary function of roots?

Answer: The primary functions of roots are to anchor the plant firmly in the soil and to absorb water and minerals from the soil.

Q3: Name two functions of the stem.

Answer: Two functions of the stem are: 1. To support branches, leaves, flowers, and fruits. 2. To transport water and minerals from roots to leaves, and prepared food from leaves to other parts of the plant.

Q4: What are nodes and internodes on a stem?

Answer: Nodes are the points on the stem where leaves arise. Internodes are the portions of the stem between two consecutive nodes.

Q5: List the main parts of a typical leaf.

Answer: The main parts of a typical leaf are the leaf base, petiole (if present), leaf blade (lamina), midrib, and veins.

Q6: Explain the difference between reticulate and parallel venation.

Answer: In reticulate venation, the veins form a net-like pattern (common in dicots like peepal). In parallel venation, the veins run parallel to each other (common in monocots like maize).

Q7: What is photosynthesis, and which plant part is primarily responsible for it?

Answer: Photosynthesis is the process by which plants make their own food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide. The leaf is primarily responsible for this process.

Q8: Name the four main parts of a flower.

Answer: The four main parts of a flower are sepals, petals, stamens (male reproductive part), and pistil/carpel (female reproductive part).

Q9: What is the function of the petals in a flower?

Answer: The petals are often brightly colored and fragrant, and their main function is to attract pollinators like insects and birds for the transfer of pollen.

Q10: From which part of the flower does a fruit develop?

Answer: A fruit typically develops from the ovary of a flower after fertilization.

Q11: What are the two main functions of fruits?

Answer: The two main functions of fruits are to protect the seeds inside and to aid in the dispersal of seeds to new locations.

Q12: What is transpiration in plants?

Answer: Transpiration is the process of water vapor loss from the leaf surface, primarily through tiny pores called stomata.

Q13: Which part of the stamen produces pollen?

Answer: The anther, which is part of the stamen, produces pollen.

Q14: What constitutes the pistil (female reproductive part) of a flower?

Answer: The pistil consists of the stigma (receives pollen), style (connects stigma to ovary), and ovary (contains ovules).

Q15: Give an example of a plant whose stem stores food.

Answer: Potato and ginger are examples of plants whose stems store food.

Application-Based Questions

Q16: You observe a plant with a cluster of thin, thread-like roots spreading out from the base of its stem. What type of root system does it have, and give an example of such a plant.

Answer: This plant has a fibrous root system. Examples include grass, wheat, or maize.

Q17: A plant's leaves are broad and flat. What is the primary function of such a leaf structure, and why is it important for the plant?

Answer: The primary function of broad and flat leaves is photosynthesis. This structure maximizes the surface area exposed to sunlight, which is crucial for efficiently converting light energy into chemical energy (food) for the plant's growth and survival.

Q18: If a plant's flowers are dull in color and lack fragrance, how might they typically be pollinated?

Answer: If a plant's flowers are dull in color and lack fragrance, they are typically pollinated by wind. Wind-pollinated flowers do not need to attract insects or other animals, so they don't invest energy in producing bright colors or scents.

Q19: Why is the stem considered the 'backbone' of a plant?

Answer: The stem is considered the 'backbone' of a plant because it provides structural support, holding the leaves up to sunlight and bearing flowers and fruits. It also acts as a vital transport system, carrying water and minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant, and food from the leaves to other parts.

Q20: You find a fruit that has developed not only from the ovary but also from the thalamus. What type of fruit is this, and give an example?

Answer: This is a false fruit. An example of a false fruit is an apple or cashew nut.

Q21: How does the process of transpiration benefit a plant?

Answer: Transpiration benefits a plant in several ways: it creates a 'pull' that helps in the upward movement of water and minerals from the roots to the leaves, and it also helps in cooling the plant, similar to how sweating cools animals.

Q22: If a plant's roots were damaged, what immediate effects would you expect to see on the plant?

Answer: If a plant's roots were damaged, you would immediately expect to see wilting of leaves and stem due to reduced water absorption. The plant might also show signs of nutrient deficiency and overall stunted growth, as roots are crucial for both water and mineral uptake.

Q23: Why is it important for fruits to aid in seed dispersal?

Answer: It is important for fruits to aid in seed dispersal because it helps spread the seeds away from the parent plant. This reduces competition for resources (light, water, nutrients) between the parent and offspring, and allows the species to colonize new areas, increasing its chances of survival and propagation.

Q24: A gardener wants to grow new rose plants without using seeds. Which part of the rose plant can they use for this purpose, and what is this method called?

Answer: The gardener can use a stem cutting from the rose plant for this purpose. This method is called vegetative propagation.

Q25: Compare the functions of sepals and petals in a flower.

Answer: Sepals primarily function to protect the flower bud before it opens, often being green and leaf-like. Petals, on the other hand, are typically brightly colored and fragrant, and their main function is to attract pollinators to the flower for reproduction.

Textbook Exercise Solutions

Fill in the Blanks:

1. Roots that arise from the main stem are called taproots.
2. The part of the stem between two nodes is called an internode.
3. The broad, flat part of the leaf is called the lamina or leaf blade.
4. The male reproductive part of a flower is the stamen.
5. Fruits develop from the ovary of a flower.
6. The process by which plants make their own food is called photosynthesis.
7. The arrangement of veins in a leaf is called venation.
8. Plants like grass and maize have a fibrous root system.
9. The central prominent vein in a leaf is called the midrib.
10. The brightly colored parts of a flower that attract pollinators are the petals.

References

1. Maharashtra State Board 7th Standard Science Syllabus (Based on current curriculum for plant structure and function)
2. NCERT Class 7 Science: Chapter 7 - Weather, Climate and Adaptations of Animals to Climate (Relevant concepts for adaptation)
3. Science Textbook for Class 7 (Other Board textbooks might contain similar concepts for comparison)
4. Screenshot_2025_0527_224445.jpg (Provided content and exercise questions)