NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 Morphology of Flowering Plants

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September 17, 2025
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NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 5: Morphology of Flowering Plants are one of the most useful resources for students who want to study the chapter in detail and prepare well for exams. This chapter introduces you to the structure, forms, and functions of different parts of flowering plants, such as roots, stems, leaves, inflorescence, flowers, fruits, and seeds. Having the morphology of flowering plants NCERT solutions by your side makes it easier to practise both short and long questions, revise definitions, and strengthen your diagram-based understanding. These solutions provide clear, step-by-step explanations that help in learning every concept in a simple way.

The morphology of flowering plants question answer set covers all the exercises from the NCERT textbook, which not only supports your Class 11 exam preparation but also builds a solid foundation for future competitive exams like NEET. However, before using the NCERT Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 question answer, students should first read the chapter thoroughly from the textbook. Going through the theory once or twice will give you a proper base, and then solving the questions will become easier and more effective. In short, these solutions are a complete guide for practice, revision, and exam success.

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NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 5

Check out the NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 here:-

1. What is meant by modification of root? What type of modification of root is found in the:

(a) Banyan tree (b) Turnip (c) Mangrove trees

Solution: Roots can alter their size, shape, or even regular functioning in order to perform certain secondary duties or a particular adaption. The term "root modification" describes this. a) The roots of banyan trees grow from the branches and descend far into the ground to provide the tree with mechanical support. Prop root is the term for this type of alteration. b) A fleshy taproot is a sort of root alteration found in turnips that is altered to store food. b) To supply oxygen to the tree, mangrove trees have changed their roots into a pneumatic structure. Pneumatophores, or respiratory roots, are the term for this kind of alteration.

2. Justify the following statements on the basis of external features:

(i) Underground parts of a plant are not always roots.

(ii) The flower is a modified shoot.

Solution:

i) Stems of certain plants, such as ginger, stay underground for vegetative reproduction and food storage. In a similar vein, potatoes' modified stems stay underground. The existence of internodes and nodes—in this case, buds and scale leaves—is indicated by potato tubers. The potato tuber is confirmed to be a stem by the presence of an apical bud at its tip. These examples so demonstrate that subterranean components are not necessarily roots. ii) The axis of the stem condenses as internodes lay closer to one another, and apical meristems give rise to floral meristems. As a result, stems are replaced with floral appendages. The flower's status as a modified shoot is thus justified.

3. How is a pinnately compound leaf different from a palmately compound leaf?

Solution:

The differences are as follows:

Pinnately compound leaf

Palmately compound leaf

Many numbers of leaflets are present on a common axis

Several leaflets are attached to a common point.

Leaflets are attached to a common axis called the rachis

Leaflets are attached to a common point on the leaf stalk.

Leaflet-bearing axis is the continuation of the petiole

Leaflet-bearing axis is very short.

Ex: Neem leaves

Ex: Cotton leaves

Read More: NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 1

4. Explain with suitable examples the different types of phyllotaxy.

Solution:

The pattern of leaf arrangement on the stem or branch is called phyllotaxy. For example, in China rose, mustard and sunflower plants, a single leaf arises at each node alternately. Phyllotaxy is of three types, namely:

  • Alternate – the emergence of a single leaf at each node in an alternate manner. Example – Hibiscus

  • Whorled – whorl is formed when two or more leaves emerge at a node. Example – Alstonia

  • Opposite – emergence of a pair of leaves at every node, facing opposite to each other. Example – guava

5. Define the following terms:

(a) aestivation

(b) placentation

(c) actinomorphic

(d) zygomorphic

(e) superior ovary

(f) perigynous flower

(g) epipetalous stamen

Solution:

a) Sepals or petals’ arrangement in a floral bud concerning other members of the same whorl is called aestivation. Different types of aestivation are:

  • Twisted – if one margin of the appendage overlaps the adjacent one, it is twisted, either clockwise or anti-clockwise. Example – cotton

  • Valvate – In a whorl, when petals or sepals just touch each other at the margin without overlapping, it is valvate. Example – Calotropis

  • Imbricate – It is imbricate when petals or sepals overlap each other but not in any definite direction as observed in gulmohar

  • Vexillary – The largest petal overlaps the two lateral petals, which in turn overlap the two smallest anterior peels in vexillary aestivation. Example – Bean flower

b) Arrangement of the ovule within the ovary is known as placentation. They are of the following types:

  • Marginal – The placenta forms a ridge through the ventral suture of the ovary. Ovules are borne on the ridge to form two rows. Example – Pea

  • Axile – placenta is axial, and ovules are attached to it in a multilocular ovary. Example – lemon

  • Parietal – ovules develop on the inner wall of the ovary or on the peripheral. It is single-chambered, but due to the formation of a false septum, it becomes two-chambered. Example- Mustard

  • Basal – The placenta develops at the base of the ovary, wherein a single ovule is attached to it. Example – Marigold

  • Free central –ovules are borne on the central axis, and septa are absent. Example – Primrose

c) Flowers which can be divided into two halves by any vertical plane are known as actinomorphic flowers. Example – Chilli d) A zygomorphic flower is one that has bilateral symmetry and can only be split in half in a single plane. For instance, Gulmohar d) The gynoecium is at the top of a hypogynous flower, with the other components remaining below it. Such a flower's ovary is referred to as a superior ovary. For instance, brinjal f) A flower that has the gynoecium in the centre and other flower components on the thalamic rim is said to be perigynous. Half of the ovary is inferior. For instance, Rose g) Epipetalous stamen: This type of stamen is carried over a petal rather than directly over the thalamus.

Read More: NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 2

6. Differentiate between

(a) Racemose and cymose inflorescence

(b) Fibrous root and adventitious root

(c) Apocarpous and syncarpous ovary

Solution:

The differences are as follows:

(a) Racemose and cymose inflorescence

Racemose inflorescence

Cymose inflorescence

Inflorescence in which young flowers are present at the tip and older flowers are arranged at the base

Inflorescence in which old flowers are present at the tip and young flowers are arranged at the base

Main axis continues to grow and produce flowers laterally.

The main axis has limited growth, which terminates into a flower.

(b) Fibrous root and adventitious root

Fibrous roots

Adventitious roots

The primary root is short-lived and is replaced by a large number of roots in monocotyledons

Roots arise from parts of the plants other than the radicle.

Example: Wheat

Example: Banyan tree

(c) Apocarpous and syncarpous ovary

Apocarpous ovary

Syncarpous ovary

In an apocarpous ovary, two or more carpels are free

In a syncarpous ovary, two or more carpels are fused

Example: Lotus

Example: Mustard

7. Draw the labelled diagram of the following: (i) gram seed (ii) V.S. of maize seed.

Solution:

(i) Gram seed

(ii) V.S. of maize seed

8. Describe modifications of the stem with suitable examples.

Solution:

Modifications of stem:

Food storage:

Underground stems of potato, ginger, and turmeric are modified to store food in them. They act as organs of perennation to tide over conditions unfavourable for growth.

Tendrils:

Tendrils are slender and spirally coiled and develop from axillary buds. These stem tendrils help plants climb, such as in gourds (cucumber, pumpkins, watermelon) and grapevines.

Thorns:

Stems of auxiliary buds get modified into woody, straight and pointed thorns. Thorns protect plants from animals. Several plants of dry regions alter their stems into either fleshy cylindrical structures or flattened. Ex: citrus plants. They possess chlorophyll and perform photosynthesis.

Other modifications:

Vegetative reproduction: Certain plants, including strawberries, grass, and others, have underground stems that expand to new niches and produce new plants when their older sections die. A thin lateral branch emerges from the base of the main axis of plants such as mint and jasmine, and after growing aerially for a while, it arches downward to touch the earth.

Read More: CBSE Class 11 Biology Notes Chapter 3 Plant Kingdom

9. Take one flower from each of the families Fabaceae and Solanaceae and write its semi-technical description. Also, draw their floral diagram after studying them.

Characters of Fabaceae

  • They are trees, shrubs herbs having roots with root nodules.

  • Stems are erect or climber

  • Leaves are alternate, pinnately compound or simple and leaf bases are pulvinate, stipulate with reticulate venation.

NCERT solutions Class 11 biology chapter-5 - 15

Inflorescence: racemose Flower: bisexual, zygomorphic Calyx: sepals five, gamosepalous; valvate/imbricate aestivation Corolla: petals five, polypetalous, papilionaceous, consisting of a posterior standard, two lateral wings, two anterior ones forming a keel (enclosing stamens and pistil), vexillary aestivation Androecium: stamens ten in number, diadelphous, anther dithecous Gynoecium: ovary superior, monocarpellary, unilocular with many ovules, style single Fruit: legume; seed: one to many, non-endospermic Economic importance: Plants of these families are pulses used as fodder and sweet pea. Ex: Peas, trifolium, Floral diagram:NCERT solutions Class 11 biology chapter-5 - 16

Characters of Solanaceae

  • Commonly termed as potato family, Solanaceae are mostly herbs, shrubs and rarely small trees

  • Stems are herbaceous, rarely woody, aerial; erect, cylindrical, branched, solid or hollow, hairy or glabrous, underground stem in potato.

  • Leaves are alternate, simple, rarely pinnately compound, and exstipulate with reticulate venation.

NCERT solutions Class 11 biology chapter-5 - 17

Floral Characters Inflorescence: Solitary, axillary or cymose as in Solanum Flower: bisexual, actinomorphic Calyx: sepals five, united, persistent, valvate aestivation Corolla: petals five, united; valvate aestivation Androecium: stamens five, epipetalous Gynoecium: bicarpellary obligately placed, syncarpous; ovary superior, bilocular, the placenta is swollen with many ovules, axile Fruits: berry or capsule Seeds: many, endosperms Economic importance Plants belonging to this family are used as food, spices, medicines and ornamentals Floral diagram:NCERT solutions Class 11 biology chapter-5 - 18Ex: Brinjal, chilli, ashwagandha, petunia

10. Describe the various types of placentations found in flowering plants.

Solution:

Placentation in flowering plants refers to the arrangement of ovules within the ovary. The main types are:

  • Marginal : Ovules are arranged along the margin of a single carpel, as in peas.

  • Axile : Ovules are attached to a central axis, as in tomato and lemon.

  • Parietal : Ovules develop on the inner wall of the ovary, as in mustard.

  • Basal : Ovules are attached to the base of the ovary, as in sunflower.

  • Free-central : Ovules are borne on a central column, as in Dianthus.

11. What is a flower? Describe the parts of a typical angiosperm flower.

Solution:

  • The flower is the reproductive organ of an angiosperm. It is a modified shoot in which the floral meristem replaces the shoot apical meristem.

  • On the enlarged end of the pedicel or stalk, called the receptacle or thalamus, a typical flower has four different types of whorls arranged consecutively. These four components fall under the categories of reproductive and auxiliary organs. They are referred to as perianth when the calyx and corolla are not separate.

  • The reproductive organs are the androecium and gynoecium, whereas the accessory organs are the calyx and corolla.

Parts of the flower are as follows:

1. Calyx: It is the lowermost and outermost whorl of the flower, and they are called sepals. They render support and protection to other floral structures. 2. Corolla: Corolla is composed of petals which are brightly coloured to attract insects for pollination. Located inner to the sepals and outside the stamens. 3. Androecium: Androecium consists of stamens which represent male reproductive organs of a stalk, filament and an anther. Anthers are bilobed, where each lobe has two chambers, the pollen sacs where pollen grains are produced. The stamens may be united with other members, namely petals or amongst themselves. 4.Gynoecium: The female reproductive component of a flower, known as the gynoecium, is made up of one or more carpels, which are further divided into three parts: the stigma, ovary, and style. The style is an extended tube that is carried by the larger ovary at the base. The style, whose tip bears the stigma where pollen grains are received, connects the ovary to the stigma. One or more ovules connected to the placenta are carried by each ovary.

12. How do the various leaf modifications help plants?

Solution: Leaves fundamentally perform photosynthesis. But in some plants, leaves are modified to carry out different functionalities, as mentioned below: Tendrils: Tendrils helps with climbing as in peas Spines: Thorns are modified leaves that protect plants from animals, serving as an organ of defence. Pitcher: Leaves of this plant are modified into pitcher-like structures containing digestive juices aiding in trapping and digesting insects. Synthesis of food: Fleshy leaves of garlic and onion store some food. These are modified leaves. Phyllodes emerging from the petioles of leaves synthesize food. Phyllodes are flattened, green structures that replace the short-lived leaves.

Check Out: Class 11th Question Banks

13. Define the term inflorescence. Explain the basis for the different types of inflorescence in flowering plants.

Solution: The arrangement of flowers on the floral axis is known as inflorescence. Depending on whether the apex develops into a flower or keeps growing, there are two main forms of inflorescence. They are as follows: An inflorescence known as a racemose has flowers that are borne laterally in acropetal succession, meaning that the older blooms are at the base and the newer flowers are close to the apex. The primary axis keeps expanding. Cymose: A kind of inflorescence with restricted growth where the main axis ends in a flower. The arrangement of flowers is basipetal, with older flowers at the apex and younger flowers close to the base.

14. Write the floral formula of an actinomorphic, bisexual, hypogynous flower with five united sepals, five free petals, five free stamens and two united carpels with superior ovary and axile placentation.

Solution:

The floral formula is as follows:NCERT solutions Class 11 biology chapter-5 - 27

15. Describe the arrangement of floral members in relation to their insertion on the thalamus.

Solution: The arrangement of floral members in relation to their insertion on the thalamus are of three types: Hypogynous flowers are the ones in which the gynoecium occupies the highest position while the other parts are situated below it. The ovary is said to be superior. Example – Brinjal.NCERT solutions Class 11 biology chapter-5 - 34Perigynous flowers are the ones in which gynoecium stays in the centre and other parts of the flower are located on the rim of the thalamus, almost at the same level. The ovary is said to be half inferior. Example – Rose.NCERT solutions Class 11 biology chapter-5 - 35Epigynous flowers are the ones in which the margin of the thalamus grows upwards, enfolding the ovary. Here the ovary gets fused with the thalamus, and other parts of the flower arise above the ovary. Hence ovary is said to be inferior. Example – Flowers of guavaNCERT solutions Class 11 biology chapter-5 - 36

Check Out: CBSE Class 11 Chapterwise 20 Most Probable Questions

How to Use NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 5?

NCERT Solutions are a very helpful resource for Class 11 students. They not only guide you with the correct answers but also help you understand the subject better. If you are preparing for Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 question answer, then using the NCERT Solutions in the right way will make your learning more effective.

1. Start with a Clear Reading of the Chapter: Before jumping to the Class 11th Biology Chapter 5 question answer, read the textbook carefully. Chapter 5, “Morphology of Flowering Plants,” has many terms, diagrams, and examples. Reading once or twice will make it easier to follow the NCERT Solutions.

2. Use NCERT Solutions for Self-Assessment: After reading the lesson, solve the exercises yourself and then check with Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 NCERT Solutions. This way, you can compare your answers and identify where you need improvement. It helps in building accuracy and confidence.

3. Learn Step-by-Step Explanations: Each Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 question answer is explained step by step in the NCERT Solutions. Don’t just memorise the answers; understand why a particular term, definition, or example is used. This is very useful for exams, especially for long-answer questions.

4. Revise Important Diagrams with Solutions: Chapter 5 involves many plant structures and diagrams. NCERT Solutions highlight important points that you should label in diagrams. Revising with the help of the Class 11th Biology Chapter 5 question answer will make your diagram practice strong.

6. Use for Quick Revision Before Exams: When exams are near, the NCERT Solutions act as a summary of the whole chapter. Instead of going through the full textbook, you can quickly revise the Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 question answer to save time and strengthen your preparation.

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 FAQs

Q1. What is the main topic of Class 11 Biology Chapter 5?

The chapter deals with the external structure and forms of flowering plants. It explains roots, stems, leaves, inflorescence, flowers, fruits, and seeds in detail.

Q2. Why is the morphology of flowering plants important?

Morphology helps us identify plants, understand their adaptations, and classify them. This makes it very important for both board exams and competitive exams like NEET.

Q3. What are the key topics in morphology of flowering plants NCERT solutions?

The key topics include root modifications, stem modifications, types of leaves, types of inflorescence, floral formula, and fruit/seed structures.

Q4. How can morphology of flowering plants question answer help in exams?

By practising question answer from this chapter, you can easily revise important definitions, diagrams, and examples which are often repeated in exams.

Q5. What is the difference between root and stem modifications?

Root modifications are for storage, respiration, or support (like carrot, pneumatophores), while stem modifications are for protection or climbing (like thorns, tendrils).

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NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 5 Morphology of Flowering Plants