CBSE Class 9 Science Chapter 11 Reproduction How Life Continues MCQs Set 03

Science Objective Questions and Answers: Chapter 11 Reproduction How Life Continues

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Question: When plants like money plant and sugarcane produce new individuals from stem cuttings without forming seeds, what is the primary genetic consequence for the offspring?
A. The new plants inherit traits from both parents equally
B. The new plants are genetically identical copies of the parent plant
C. The new plants show increased genetic variation compared to the parent
D. The new plants receive half their genetic material from another source
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) The new plants are genetically identical copies of the parent plant

Explanation:
Asexual reproduction through vegetative propagation involves only one parent and produces genetically identical individuals, as stated in section 11.1. Since no second parent contributes genetic material, no mixing or variation occurs.

Question: In grafting, Plant A (a wild rose) serves as the rooted base while Plant B (a yellow rose cutting) is inserted into a slit. Which of the following best explains why the resulting plant displays characteristics of the grafted portion?
A. The roots of Plant A lose their identity and adopt Plant B's genetics
B. The scion (Plant B) maintains its genetic identity while being nourished by Plant A's root system
C. The two plants' cells gradually merge to create an entirely new species
D. Plant A's vascular system completely replaces Plant B's internal structure
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Answer: (B) The scion (Plant B) maintains its genetic identity while being nourished by Plant A's root system

Explanation:
Grafting works because the scion (the grafted portion) retains its own genetic makeup and characteristics while the rootstock provides mechanical support and nutrients. The genetic identity of each part remains separate, which is why choosing specific varieties for aesthetic or productive traits is important in horticulture.

Question: In Activity 11.2 with yeast, after 1–2 hours in a sugar solution, small round outgrowths are observed emerging from parent cells. These structures enlarge and separate to live independently. What is the defining feature of this reproductive process?
A. It produces genetically diverse offspring through chromosome mixing
B. It involves fusion of two gametes to form a new individual
C. It generates multiple identical clones from a single parent cell
D. It requires the transfer of genetic material between separate organisms
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (C) It generates multiple identical clones from a single parent cell

Explanation:
Budding in yeast is asexual reproduction where a single parent produces genetically identical offspring. The buds that form, enlarge, and separate are clones of the parent cell, produced through mitosis rather than the mixing of gametes.

Question: During meiosis, which fundamental problem does this type of cell division solve that would otherwise occur if sexual reproduction used mitosis instead?
A. It would prevent the formation of gametes altogether
B. It would cause the chromosome number to double in each generation, eventually becoming unsustainable
C. It would stop the development of embryos inside the mother's body
D. It would make all offspring genetically identical to the parents
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) It would cause the chromosome number to double in each generation, eventually becoming unsustainable

Explanation:
Section 11.2 explains that if each generation received the full set of chromosomes from both parents using mitosis, the chromosome number would double in every generation. Meiosis solves this by halving the chromosome number so that when gametes combine, the offspring maintains the correct chromosome number.

Question: Looking at the three pairs of coloured beads in Activity 11.4 (green for hair colour, blue for hair type, red for eye colour), students discovered that eight different combinations could be made. Which statement correctly interprets the significance of this finding?
A. All humans with the same three traits will have identical appearance
B. With only three pairs of genes, humans cannot show any genetic variation
C. Even just three independent traits generate multiple possible combinations, showing how variation arises in humans
D. The number of combinations possible decreases as more traits are considered
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (C) Even just three independent traits generate multiple possible combinations, showing how variation arises in humans

Explanation:
The bead activity demonstrates that random assortment of just three traits produces eight combinations (2³ = 8). Since humans actually have 23 pairs of chromosomes carrying genetic information for many characters, the number of possible combinations becomes astronomically large, explaining genetic variation among siblings and populations.

Question: Tissue culture for banana farming involves producing mass-plantlets from the apical meristem of selected plants. How does this method specifically address a major farming challenge?
A. It allows farmers to grow only disease-resistant varieties while eliminating virus-infected plants
B. It increases the total number of flowers produced on each plant
C. It makes fruits ripen faster during the growing season
D. It reduces the amount of water required for irrigation
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (A) It allows farmers to grow only disease-resistant varieties while eliminating virus-infected plants

Explanation:
According to the Bridging Science and Society section about tissue culture, this technique helps eliminate virus-infected plants and ensures high yields by producing healthy plantlets from shoot tips of disease-free selected varieties, directly solving the problem of virus transmission that can reduce yields.

Question: In Activity 11.3, the moist chamber containing bread is kept in a warm, dark place away from direct sunlight. Which explanation best accounts for why these specific conditions are maintained?
A. Darkness prevents the bread from becoming stale too quickly
B. Warmth and moisture are required for mould spores present in air to germinate and reproduce rapidly
C. Sunlight would kill all the beneficial mould that farmers want to grow
D. The dark environment slows down the bread's decomposition process
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) Warmth and moisture are required for mould spores present in air to germinate and reproduce rapidly

Explanation:
The chapter explicitly states in the Threads of Curiosity section that spores of mould need warmth and moisture to grow on bread or roti. Lower temperatures slow or stop their reproduction, which is why refrigeration is effective for food preservation.

Question: When comparing wind-pollinated grasses that produce 5,00,000–10,00,000 pollen grains per flower against insect-pollinated sunflowers producing 20,000–40,000 grains per flower, what does the difference in quantity reveal?
A. Wind pollination is more efficient because it uses more pollen
B. Insect pollination is more efficient because fewer pollen grains achieve higher seed success rates
C. Both strategies are equally efficient regardless of pollen quantity
D. The amount of pollen produced determines the number of flowers on a plant
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) Insect pollination is more efficient because fewer pollen grains achieve higher seed success rates

Explanation:
Activity 11.7 data shows wind-pollinated grasses produce vastly more pollen (500,000–1,000,000) but achieve lower seed success (50–200), while insect-pollinated plants produce far less pollen (20,000–40,000) yet achieve higher success (800–1,000 seeds). This demonstrates that insect pollination is more efficient in converting pollen to seeds, as insects directly deliver pollen to the stigma rather than relying on random air currents.

Question: In aquatic animals like frogs, millions of eggs are released into water along with sperm for fertilisation. Compared to reptiles and birds that lay fewer eggs internally fertilised, what is the primary evolutionary trade-off?
A. Aquatic animals produce more eggs but have lower offspring survival rates due to exposure in water
B. Terrestrial animals must lay eggs in protected places, reducing the number they can produce
C. Aquatic animals never need parental care after eggs hatch
D. Fertilisation location does not affect the number of eggs produced
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (A) Aquatic animals produce more eggs but have lower offspring survival rates due to exposure in water

Explanation:
Table 11.4 shows that fish and frogs use external fertilisation and produce hundreds to thousands of eggs at a time but have low estimated survival of young ones, while birds using internal fertilisation produce fewer eggs (1–15) but have moderate to high survival. This illustrates the biological trade-off between quantity and protection.

Question: In the male reproductive system, the seminal vesicles and prostate gland add fluids to sperm. What is the specific function of these fluids in reproduction?
A. They reduce the number of sperm produced by the testes
B. They nourish the sperm and help them remain active and capable of movement
C. They prevent the sperm from mixing with urine in the urethra
D. They signal the female reproductive system to prepare for fertilisation
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) They nourish the sperm and help them remain active and capable of movement

Explanation:
Section 11.5.2 states that glands like the seminal vesicles and prostate add fluids to nourish the sperm and help them remain active and move. This is essential because sperm need nutrients and appropriate conditions to survive the journey through the female reproductive tract.

Question: During the menstrual cycle, the uterus begins preparing its inner lining to receive a fertilised egg. If fertilisation occurs, what prevents this prepared lining from being shed?
A. The menstrual cycle automatically stops once a woman reaches reproductive maturity
B. Hormones produced after fertilisation signal the body to maintain the thickened uterine lining
C. The prepared lining hardens and cannot be shed once it forms
D. Menstruation only occurs in women who do not engage in sexual activity
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) Hormones produced after fertilisation signal the body to maintain the thickened uterine lining

Explanation:
The chapter explains that if an egg is fertilised, the zygote develops and implants into the prepared inner lining, marking the beginning of pregnancy. Hormonal changes associated with pregnancy maintain this lining, preventing it from shedding. If fertilisation does not occur, the absence of these pregnancy-supporting hormones causes the lining to be shed during menstruation.

Question: The ovary of a flower contains ovules, and each ovule has an egg cell. After the pollen tube delivers the male gamete to fuse with this egg, what is the immediate developmental fate of the ovule?
A. The ovule dies and is reabsorbed by the plant
B. The ovule develops into a seed while the ovary develops into a fruit
C. The ovule remains unchanged as a permanent part of the flower
D. The ovule transforms into pollen for the next generation
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) The ovule develops into a seed while the ovary develops into a fruit

Explanation:
Section 11.2.5 clearly states that after fertilisation, the zygote develops into an embryo, while the ovule develops into a seed and the ovary surrounding the ovules enlarges and develops into a fruit. This transformation is fundamental to seed and fruit formation in flowering plants.

Question: In Activity 11.6 with pea plants, flowers were treated in different ways: some had stamens removed while still in the bud stage (treatment A), others had stamens removed when fully blossomed (treatment B), and some were left fully exposed (treatment C). Fruits formed in all treatments except one. What does this experimental result specifically demonstrate?
A. Pollen must be present while flowers are still in the bud stage to ensure fruit formation
B. Pollination can occur even after flowers have bloomed and opened fully
C. Mechanical removal of stamens prevents fruit formation regardless of timing
D. Self-pollination is more reliable than cross-pollination for fruit production
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) Pollination can occur even after flowers have bloomed and opened fully

Explanation:
The chapter states that fruits formed in place of flowers in all treatments except the one where stamens were removed from the flower bud. This indicates that young flower buds, once stamens are removed, cannot be pollinated later, but mature flowers and those exposed to natural pollinators can still be pollinated and produce fruits, demonstrating that pollination must occur at an appropriate stage of flower maturity.

Question: In self-pollination, pollen from a flower's anther lands on the stigma of the same flower or another flower of the same plant. Compared to cross-pollination between different plants, what is a potential disadvantage of self-pollination over many generations?
A. Self-pollinated plants cannot produce seeds or fruits
B. Self-pollination reduces genetic diversity, potentially limiting the population's ability to adapt to environmental changes
C. Cross-pollination prevents fruits from forming in some plant species
D. Self-pollinated plants always show increased vigour and disease resistance
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) Self-pollination reduces genetic diversity, potentially limiting the population's ability to adapt to environmental changes

Explanation:
While not explicitly detailed in Activity 11.6 itself, the chapter's discussion of sexual reproduction and variation indicates that self-pollination produces offspring with less genetic mixing. Over many generations, this reduces genetic diversity within a population, which the chapter emphasises is important for species survival and adaptation (section 11.2.1).

Question: In the layering technique described in section 11.1.1, a flexible twig is buried underground where roots develop after 10–15 days. Why is cutting the twig from the parent plant essential after roots have formed?
A. To prevent the roots from becoming too large and damaging the parent plant
B. To allow the new section to develop as an independent plant with its own root system
C. To stop nutrient flow from the parent plant so the new plant is forced to mature quickly
D. To ensure the parent plant can grow additional branches in that location
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) To allow the new section to develop as an independent plant with its own root system

Explanation:
Layering works by creating a new rooted section that remains connected to the parent until it can survive independently. Once roots develop, cutting the connection allows the new plant to draw nutrients from its own root system rather than from the parent, establishing it as a separate individual while still maintaining genetic identity with the parent.

Question: Fungi produce spores in massive numbers (millions from one mould colony) that are lightweight and float easily through air currents. Which characteristic of spores is most advantageous for the fungus's reproductive success?
A. Their large size allows them to carry more nutrients for immediate germination
B. Their ability to disperse widely through air increases the probability of landing in suitable environments for growth
C. Their immobility prevents them from escaping unfavourable locations
D. Their density causes them to settle quickly in one location
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) Their ability to disperse widely through air increases the probability of landing in suitable environments for growth

Explanation:
Section 11.2 states that spores are lightweight, usually single-celled, and float easily through air currents. Because they are produced in huge numbers and dispersed widely, the probability increases that some will land in environments with moisture and nutrients necessary for germination. This wide dispersal strategy is particularly effective for asexual reproduction in fungi.

Question: A human sperm cell and egg cell differ dramatically in several characteristics: sperm are very small and highly motile, while eggs are large and non-motile. What is the biological significance of these differences?
A. Eggs must be larger to fertilise the sperm instead of the reverse
B. The egg's size provides stored nutrients for early embryo development, while the sperm's mobility helps it reach the egg
C. Sperm size is reduced to allow more production from limited testicular tissue
D. Motility differences determine whether internal or external fertilisation will occur
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Answer: (B) The egg's size provides stored nutrients for early embryo development, while the sperm's mobility helps it reach the egg

Explanation:
Table 11.5 compares these gametes and section 11.5.4 explains that in males, gametogenesis produces numerous tiny motile sperm, while in females it produces a single large egg. This asymmetry reflects complementary functions: the egg's stored nutrients (yolk) nourish the developing embryo, while the sperm's small size and motility allow millions to be produced and enable them to swim toward the egg.

Question: In Activity 11.5 where different flower types are examined, some flowers are observed to lack stamens while retaining pistils, or vice versa. What type of pollination would necessarily occur in plants with only female flowers on some individuals and only male flowers on others?
A. Self-pollination exclusively within each flower
B. Cross-pollination must occur between separate male and female plants
C. No pollination at all since matching parts are absent
D. Both self- and cross-pollination are equally likely
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) Cross-pollination must occur between separate male and female plants

Explanation:
If plants have separate male and female flowers on different individuals, as mentioned in the papaya example in the chapter, self-pollination within a single flower is impossible. Pollen from male flowers of one plant must reach the stigma of female flowers on another plant, necessitating cross-pollination and genetic mixing between individuals.

Question: In the menstrual cycle, ovulation typically occurs around day 14 of a 28-day cycle. However, the chapter notes that normal cycles can range from 21 to 35 days. What does this natural variation suggest about predicting fertility windows in humans?
A. Ovulation always occurs exactly on day 14 regardless of cycle length
B. The timing of ovulation varies among individuals and even within the same person across different cycles
C. Longer cycles indicate that ovulation never occurs
D. Cycle length variation is an abnormality requiring medical intervention
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) The timing of ovulation varies among individuals and even within the same person across different cycles

Explanation:
Section 11.5.6 states that the menstrual cycle repeats typically every 21–35 days (often around 28 days). This variation implies that ovulation does not occur on a fixed calendar day for all individuals, making precise prediction of fertility windows challenging without additional monitoring.

Question: When a pollen tube grows through the style and reaches the ovule, the male gamete fuses with the egg cell in a process called fertilisation. Why is this fusion necessary before a seed can develop?
A. To provide the egg cell with motility so it can move within the ovule
B. To combine genetic material from both parents, creating a zygote that develops into an embryo
C. To prevent the ovule from degenerating before the fruit forms
D. To signal the flower petals to fall away
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) To combine genetic material from both parents, creating a zygote that develops into an embryo

Explanation:
Section 11.2.5 describes how the male gamete moves through the pollen tube and fuses with the egg cell, forming a zygote that marks the beginning of a new life. This fusion combines genetic material from both parents and creates a diploid zygote that develops into an embryo and eventually a complete seed.

Question: Condoms serve a dual protective function compared to other contraceptive methods like oral pills or IUDs. Which statement accurately describes this dual benefit?
A. Condoms prevent pregnancy while also preventing the transmission of sexually transmitted infections
B. Condoms are more reliable at preventing pregnancy than any other method available
C. Condoms stimulate natural immunity to prevent both pregnancy and infections
D. Condoms eliminate the need for any other form of protection during sexual activity
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (A) Condoms prevent pregnancy while also preventing the transmission of sexually transmitted infections

Explanation:
Section 11.5.10 explicitly states that condoms prevent transmission of sexually transmitted infections and also help prevent pregnancy. In contrast, oral pills prevent pregnancy through hormonal changes but do not protect against STIs, and IUDs prevent pregnancy but may irritate the uterus. Condoms uniquely address both concerns.

Question: In flowers that bloom during the day, such as hibiscus and sunflower, bright colours and fragrance attract specific pollinators. For flowers that bloom at night, what adaptation would be most advantageous given that visual cues are less effective in darkness?
A. These flowers should be brightly coloured to reflect moonlight
B. These flowers should produce stronger fragrances or other chemical signals to attract nocturnal pollinators
C. Night-blooming flowers do not require any special adaptations since pollinators find them randomly
D. Night-blooming flowers use bioluminescence to attract insects
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) These flowers should produce stronger fragrances or other chemical signals to attract nocturnal pollinators

Explanation:
While the chapter notes that night-blooming flowers are often white or light-coloured (likely to be visible in low light), the underlying principle of adaptation to pollinator behaviour suggests that nocturnal flowers should rely more heavily on scent and chemical signals rather than colour, since night-active pollinators navigate by smell rather than sight in darkness.

Question: During pregnancy, the zygote undergoes mitotic divisions while travelling through the oviduct to the uterus, then implants in the uterine lining. Why is the timing of implantation critical for pregnancy establishment?
A. Implantation must occur before cell division begins, or the embryo cannot develop
B. The uterine lining must be sufficiently thickened and rich with blood vessels to provide nourishment to the developing embryo
C. Implantation timing determines the baby's future gender and genetic traits
D. Delayed implantation always results in miscarriage
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) The uterine lining must be sufficiently thickened and rich with blood vessels to provide nourishment to the developing embryo

Explanation:
Section 11.5.5 explains that before ovulation, the uterus prepares by developing a thick, nutrient-rich inner lining. When the zygote implants into this prepared lining, it receives nourishment for development. If implantation occurs at the wrong time when the uterine lining is not adequately prepared, pregnancy may not establish successfully.

Question: When Bryophyllum leaves develop tiny plantlets at their margins that eventually mature into independent plants, which characteristic of this reproductive process indicates it is asexual rather than sexual?
A. The plantlets are genetically identical to the parent plant
B. The plantlets develop without any water requirement
C. The process occurs more slowly than seed formation
D. The plantlets require pollination to develop
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (A) The plantlets are genetically identical to the parent plant

Explanation:
Asexual reproduction produces offspring that are genetically identical to the parent because it involves only one parent and mitosis rather than meiosis and fertilisation. The chapter explicitly states that vegetative propagation 'produces genetically identical individuals.' The other options either misrepresent the process or are not defining characteristics of asexual reproduction.

Question: In a typical 28-day menstrual cycle, the sequence of events includes ovulation around day 14, followed by changes to the uterine lining. If fertilisation does not occur, what physiological consequence follows the degeneration of the unfertilised egg?
A. The uterine lining immediately thickens further to prepare for the next cycle
B. The thick, blood-vessel-rich uterine lining sheds along with blood through the vagina
C. The ovaries release another egg within 24 hours
D. The cycle pauses and resumes only when fertilisation occurs
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) The thick, blood-vessel-rich uterine lining sheds along with blood through the vagina

Explanation:
When an egg is not fertilised, it degenerates after remaining viable for about a day. The inner lining of the uterus that became thick and rich with blood vessels to nourish a potential zygote is no longer needed, so it sheds. This lining, along with some blood, leaves the body through the vagina in a process called menstruation, which typically lasts 3 to 7 days before the cycle repeats.

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