Unit 17: Plant Kingdom study note NMMS 8th
Here is a comprehensive study note guide for Unit 17: Plant Kingdom, specifically tailored for NMMS and TNPSC exam preparation. These notes cover all classifications, specific examples, scientific names, economic importance, and medicinal uses mentioned in the text.
Unit 17: Plant Kingdom
I. Introduction to Plant Kingdom
Classification:
Cryptogams (Non-flowering): Thallophyta (Algae, Fungi), Bryophyta, Pteridophyta.
Phanerogams (Flowering): Gymnosperms, Angiosperms.
Species Estimation: 8.7 million species on Earth (6.5 million on land, 2.2 million in ocean). 400,000 are flowering plants.
II. Algae (Thallophyta)
Characteristics: Simple, primitive, chlorophyll-bearing autotrophs. Plant body is a thallus (no root, stem, leaf). Mostly aquatic.
Study: Phycology or Algology.
Reproduction:
Vegetative: Fragmentation (e.g., Spirogyra).
Asexual: Spore formation (e.g., Chlamydomonas).
Sexual: Fusion of gametes (e.g., Spirogyra, Chara).
Classification based on Pigments:
| Class | Common Name | Pigment | Reserve Food | Example |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Cyanophyceae | Blue-green algae | Phycocyanin | Cyanophycean Starch | Oscillatoria, Nostoc |
| Chlorophyceae | Green algae | Chlorophyll | Starch | Chlamydomonas |
| Phaeophyceae | Brown algae | Fucoxanthin | Laminarian starch | Laminaria |
| Rhodophyceae | Red algae | Phycoerythrin | Floridian Starch | Polysiphonia |
Economic Importance:
Food: Ulva, Spirulina, Chlorella. (People in Japan/England consume algae).
Agriculture (Nitrogen Fixation): Nostoc, Anabaena (Blue-green algae increase soil fertility).
Agar Agar: From Red algae (Gelidium, Gracilaria) - used in laboratories.
Iodine: From Brown algae (Laminaria).
Space Travel: Chlorella pyrenoidosa (decomposes waste, releases $CO_{2}$).
Single Cell Protein (SCP): Chlorella, Spirulina.
III. Fungi (Thallophyta)
Characteristics: Heterotrophic (no chlorophyll), eukaryotic. Cell wall made of chitin. Reserve food is Glycogen and Oil.
Body: Filament-like hyphae form a network called mycelium.
Study: Mycology.
Classification:
Myxomycetes
Eumycetes (True Fungi) - Divided into 4 classes: Phycomycetes, Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes, Deuteromycetes.
Modes of Nutrition:
Parasites: Absorb food using haustoria (special roots). E.g., Cercospora personata (Tikka disease).
Saprophytes: Grow on dead matter. E.g., Rhizopus.
Symbionts:
Lichen: Fungi + Algae.
Mycorrhizae: Fungi + Roots of higher plants.
Economic Importance:
Antibiotics: Penicillin (from Penicillium notatum - Queen of Medicine, discovered by Sir Alexander Fleming in 1928), Cephalosporin.
Food: Agaricus (Button mushroom).
Vitamins: Ashbya gossypii produces Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin).
Alcohol: Yeast (contains enzymes invertase and zymase) ferments sugar to alcohol.
Diseases Caused by Fungi:
Plants:
Wilt disease in cotton: Fusarium oxysporum
Tikka disease in groundnut: Cercospora personata
Red rot in sugarcane: Colletotrichum falcatum
Blast disease in paddy: Pyricularia oryzae
White rust in radish: Albugo candida
Humans:
Ringworm: Trichophyton sp.
Dandruff: Microsporum furfur
Athlete's foot: Tinea pedis
IV. Bryophytes (Amphibians of Plant Kingdom)
Characteristics: Primitive land plants, non-vascular (no xylem/phloem). Require water for life cycle.
Generation: Gametophyte (dominant) produces sex organs. Sporophyte depends on gametophyte.
Reproduction:
Male: Antheridium produces Antherozoid.
Female: Archegonium contains Egg.
Classification:
Hepaticopsida (Liverworts): Simple (e.g., Riccia).
Anthocerotopsida (Hornworts): Undifferentiated thallus (e.g., Anthoceros).
Bryopsida (Mosses): Higher forms with stem/leaf-like parts (e.g., Funaria).
Importance: Sphagnum absorbs water (used in nurseries). Peat (fuel) obtained from Sphagnum. Prevents soil erosion.
V. Pteridophytes (Vascular Cryptogams)
Characteristics: First true land plants with Xylem and Phloem. Differentiated into root, stem, leaf.
Generation: Sporophyte (dominant) produces spores. Gametophyte is called Prothallus.
Classification:
Psilopsida: Psilotum
Lycopsida: Lycopodium (Club moss)
Sphenopsida: Equisetum (Horse tail)
Pteropsida: Nephrolepis (Ferns)
Importance: Ferns (Ornamental), Dryopteris (Vermifuge drug), Marsilea (Food).
VI. Gymnosperms (Naked Seeds)
Characteristics: Ovules not enclosed by ovary (naked). Dominant sporophyte.
Classification:
Cycadales: Palm-like, tap root, coralloid root (e.g., Cycas).
Ginkgoales: Fan-shaped leaves, unpleasant smell. Living fossil (e.g., Ginkgo biloba).
Coniferales: Cone-like, needle leaves, winged seeds (e.g., Pinus).
Gnetales: Advanced characters like angiosperms (e.g., Gnetum).
Importance:
Paper: Pinus, Agathis.
Softwood: Cedrus, Agathis.
Turpentine (Paint/Pain relief): Resin from Pinus.
Edible seeds: Pinus gerardiana.
Asthma cure (Ephedrine): Ephedra.
Ornamental: Araucaria.
VII. Angiosperms (Closed Seeds)
Characteristics: Flowering plants, seeds enclosed in ovary. Well-developed Xylem (vessels) and Phloem (sieve tubes).
Classification:
Dicotyledons: 2 cotyledons, tap root, reticulate venation, tetramerous/pentamerous flowers. (E.g., Bean, Mango).
Monocotyledons: 1 cotyledon, fibrous root, parallel venation, trimerous flowers. (E.g., Grass, Paddy).
VIII. Taxonomy & Classification Systems
Taxonomy: Taxis (arrangement) + Nomos (laws). Coined by Augustin-Pyramus de Candolle.
Artificial System: Based on few morphological characters. Carolus Linnaeus (Book: Species Plantarum).
Natural System: Based on many characters (morphological/reproductive). Bentham and Hooker (Book: Genera Plantarum - 3 volumes). Used in herbaria.
Binomial Nomenclature: Naming with 2 words (Genus + Species). Introduced by Gaspard Bauhin (1623), implemented by Linnaeus.
E.g., Mango = Mangifera (Genus) indica (Species).
Herbarium: Largest in India is in Kolkata (1 million specimens).
IX. Medicinal Plants
Acalypha indica (Kuppaimeni): Family Euphorbiaceae. Paste cures burns; juice with lemon cures ringworm.
Aegle marmelos (Vilvam): Family Rutaceae. Unripe fruit cures indigestion, chronic diarrhea, dysentery.
Solanum trilobatum (Thoodhuvalai): Family Solanaceae. Cures cough, cold, tuberculosis, bronchial asthma.
Phyllanthus amarus (Keezhanelli): Family Euphorbiaceae. Cures Jaundice and liver disorders.
Aloe vera (Sothu Katrazhai): Family Liliaceae. Cures piles, skin inflammation, peptic ulcer.
Important Exam Key Points
Algae study: Phycology. Fungi study: Mycology.
Space Algae: Chlorella.
Nitrogen fixing Algae: Nostoc, Anabaena.
Antibiotic Source: Penicillium notatum.
Dandruff Fungus: Microsporum furfur.
First Land Plants: Pteridophytes.
Club Moss: Lycopodium. Horse Tail: Equisetum.
Asthma Drug: Ephedrine from Ephedra.
Binomial of Thoothuvalai: Solanum trilobatum.
Largest Herbarium: Kolkata.
Here are the 50 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) based on Unit 17: Plant Kingdom, designed for your NMMS and TNPSC exam preparation.
Topic: Introduction & Algae
1. The estimated number of plant species on Earth is approximately:
a) 6.5 million
b) 2.2 million
c) 8.7 million
d) 400,000
2. Which of the following is a non-flowering plant group?
a) Gymnosperms
b) Angiosperms
c) Cryptogams
d) Phanerogams
3. The study of algae is called:
a) Mycology
b) Phycology
c) Zoology
d) Botany
4. The plant body of algae is called:
a) Mycelium
b) Thallus
c) Rhizoid
d) Hyphae
5. Which pigment is responsible for the color of Blue-green algae?
a) Chlorophyll
b) Fucoxanthin
c) Phycoerythrin
d) Phycocyanin
6. The reserve food material in Green algae (Chlorophyceae) is:
a) Starch
b) Laminarian starch
c) Floridian starch
d) Cyanophycean starch
7. Which algae is used in space travel to decompose human waste?
a) Laminaria
b) Chlorella pyrenoidosa
c) Spirogyra
d) Gelidium
8. Agar Agar is extracted from:
a) Blue-green algae
b) Brown algae
c) Red algae
d) Green algae
9. Which algae helps in nitrogen fixation?
a) Nostoc
b) Spirogyra
c) Laminaria
d) Polysiphonia
10. Iodine is obtained from which type of algae?
a) Green algae
b) Red algae
c) Brown algae (Laminaria)
d) Blue-green algae
Topic: Fungi
11. The cell wall of fungi is made up of:
a) Cellulose
b) Chitin
c) Protein
d) Lipid
12. The study of fungi is called:
a) Phycology
b) Mycology
c) Pathology
d) Biology
13. Fungi that absorb food from living organisms are called:
a) Saprophytes
b) Symbionts
c) Parasites
d) Autotrophs
14. Cercospora personata causes which disease in groundnut?
a) Wilt disease
b) Red rot
c) Tikka disease
d) White rust
15. The antibiotic Penicillin was discovered by:
a) Carolus Linnaeus
b) Sir Alexander Fleming
c) Gaspard Bauhin
d) Robert Hooke
16. Which fungus is used to produce Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)?
a) Ashbya gossypii
b) Penicillium notatum
c) Agaricus
d) Rhizopus
17. Dandruff is caused by which fungus?
a) Trichophyton sp.
b) Microsporum furfur
c) Tinea pedis
d) Fusarium
18. Yeast ferments sugar molasses into:
a) Acid
b) Alcohol
c) Starch
d) Protein
19. Red rot in sugarcane is caused by:
a) Fusarium oxysporum
b) Colletotrichum falcatum
c) Pyricularia oryzae
d) Albugo candida
20. Fungi lack starch because they have no:
a) Cell wall
b) Nucleus
c) Chlorophyll pigments
d) Cytoplasm
Topic: Bryophytes & Pteridophytes
21. Bryophytes are known as the _______ of the plant kingdom.
a) Reptiles
b) Amphibians
c) Mammals
d) Aves
22. In Bryophytes, the dominant phase is:
a) Sporophyte
b) Gametophyte
c) Zygote
d) Embryo
23. Which Bryophyte is used as a fuel (Peat)?
a) Riccia
b) Funaria
c) Sphagnum
d) Anthoceros
24. Pteridophytes are called:
a) Non-vascular cryptogams
b) Vascular cryptogams
c) Phanerogams
d) Amphibians
25. The first true land plants with xylem and phloem are:
a) Algae
b) Bryophytes
c) Pteridophytes
d) Fungi
26. In Pteridophytes, the dominant phase is:
a) Gametophyte
b) Sporophyte
c) Prothallus
d) Rhizoid
27. Club moss is the common name for:
a) Equisetum
b) Lycopodium
c) Marsilea
d) Nephrolepis
28. Which Pteridophyte yields a vermifuge drug?
a) Marsilea
b) Dryopteris
c) Psilotum
d) Lycopodium
29. The gametophytic generation in Pteridophytes is called:
a) Thallus
b) Prothallus
c) Cone
d) Capsule
30. Equisetum is commonly known as:
a) Club moss
b) Horse tail
c) Water fern
d) Liverwort
Topic: Gymnosperms & Angiosperms
31. Gymnosperms are plants with:
a) Fruits
b) Naked seeds
c) Flowers
d) Covered seeds
32. Which Gymnosperm is considered a living fossil?
a) Cycas
b) Pinus
c) Ginkgo biloba
d) Gnetum
33. The drug Ephedrine, used for curing asthma, is extracted from:
a) Pinus
b) Cycas
c) Ephedra
d) Agathis
34. Turpentine is obtained from the resin of:
a) Cycas
b) Pinus
c) Gnetum
d) Araucaria
35. Angiosperms means:
a) Naked seed
b) Open seed
c) Closed seed (Box seed)
d) No seed
36. Which of the following is a characteristic of Dicotyledons?
a) Fibrous root system
b) Parallel venation
c) Trimerous flowers
d) Reticulate venation
37. Monocotyledons usually have:
a) Tap root system
b) Two cotyledons
c) Parallel venation
d) Tetramerous flowers
38. Which of the following is an example of a Monocotyledon?
a) Bean
b) Mango
c) Paddy
d) Neem
39. Pollination in Monocotyledons occurs mostly by:
a) Insects
b) Water
c) Wind
d) Animals
40. Gnetum belongs to which group?
a) Pteridophytes
b) Angiosperms
c) Gymnosperms (Gnetales)
d) Bryophytes
Topic: Taxonomy & Medicinal Plants
41. The term "Taxonomy" was first coined by:
a) Carolus Linnaeus
b) Augustin-Pyramus de Candolle
c) Bentham
d) Hooker
42. The artificial system of classification was proposed by:
a) Bentham and Hooker
b) Carolus Linnaeus
c) Gaspard Bauhin
d) Augustin-Pyramus de Candolle
43. Bentham and Hooker published their classification in the book:
a) Species Plantarum
b) Genera Plantarum
c) Systema Naturae
d) Flora Indica
44. Binomial Nomenclature consists of two words: Genus and:
a) Family
b) Order
c) Species
d) Class
45. Binomial name was first introduced by:
a) Carolus Linnaeus
b) Gaspard Bauhin
c) Hooker
d) Bentham
46. The largest Herbarium in India is located in:
a) Chennai
b) Mumbai
c) Kolkata
d) Delhi
47. The paste of Acalypha indica (Kuppaimeni) leaves is used to cure:
a) Cold
b) Burns on skin
c) Jaundice
d) Indigestion
48. Which plant is used to treat Jaundice?
a) Solanum trilobatum
b) Phyllanthus amarus (Keezhanelli)
c) Aegle marmelos
d) Aloe vera
49. Solanum trilobatum (Thoodhuvalai) is used to cure:
a) Burns
b) Cough and cold
c) Piles
d) Jaundice
50. Aloe vera belongs to the family:
a) Solanaceae
b) Euphorbiaceae
c) Liliaceae
d) Rutaceae
Answer Key
c | 2. c | 3. b | 4. b | 5. d | 6. a | 7. b | 8. c | 9. a | 10. c
b | 12. b | 13. c | 14. c | 15. b | 16. a | 17. b | 18. b | 19. b | 20. c
b | 22. b | 23. c | 24. b | 25. c | 26. b | 27. b | 28. b | 29. b | 30. b
b | 32. c | 33. c | 34. b | 35. c | 36. d | 37. c | 38. c | 39. c | 40. c
b | 42. b | 43. b | 44. c | 45. b | 46. c | 47. b | 48. b | 49. b | 50. c
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