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CBSE Class 11 Biology Chapter 13 Plant Growth and Development Worksheet with Answers

Chapter 13 Plant Growth and Development is a foundation of CBSE Class 11 Biology, linking cellular processes to whole-plant physiology. This worksheet systematically tests your grasp of growth kinetics, hormonal regulation, and environmental responses like photoperiodism and vernalisation. Designed for both quick revision and deep practice, it mirrors the CBSE board exam pattern with varied question types. Print this worksheet, allocate 90 minutes, and attempt all sections before consulting the answer key to identify knowledge gaps and strengthen your conceptual foundation.

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Key takeaways

✓Growth in plants involves three phases: cell division (meristematic), cell enlargement (elongation), and cell maturation, following an arithmetic then sigmoid pattern.
✓Five major groups of plant hormones regulate growth and development: auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, ethylene, and abscisic acid, each with specific physiological roles.
✓Differentiation is the process by which cells derived from root and shoot apical meristems mature to perform specific functions; dedifferentiation allows mature cells to regain meristematic capacity.
✓Photoperiodism is the developmental response to the relative lengths of light and dark periods, classifying plants as short-day, long-day, or day-neutral based on flowering requirements.
✓Vernalisation is the quantitative or qualitative requirement of low-temperature exposure to induce flowering, preventing premature flowering in winter varieties.
✓Plant growth substances can be growth promoters (auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins) or growth inhibitors (abscisic acid, ethylene in certain contexts), creating a hormonal balance.
✓This worksheet tests understanding across Bloom's taxonomy levels, from recall of hormone names to application of growth concepts in case studies and analysis of experimental results.

Quick Chapter Recap: Plant Growth and Development Essentials

Plant Growth and Development in NCERT Class 11 Biology explores how plants increase in size and mass through irreversible, permanent changes. Growth occurs primarily in meristematic regions—root and shoot apical meristems—and follows three distinct phases. The meristematic phase involves active mitotic cell division. The elongation phase sees cells enlarge by vacuolation and water uptake, contributing most to visible growth. The maturation phase includes differentiation, where cells acquire specialized structures and functions. Growth can be quantified by measuring parameters like fresh weight, dry weight, length, area, volume, and cell number. The growth rate can be arithmetic (constant) or geometric (exponential), typically forming a sigmoid curve in most higher plants. Development encompasses all changes an organism undergoes during its life cycle, from seed germination to senescence, regulated by intrinsic factors (genetic makeup, plant hormones) and extrinsic factors (light, temperature, water, nutrients). This chapter also covers critical environmental phenomena—photoperiodism governs flowering response to day length, while vernalisation requires cold treatment for flowering. Understanding these concepts is vital for tackling CBSE board questions and competitive exams like NEET. The worksheet below covers every key topic from this chapter with answers sourced directly from NCERT text and CBSE marking schemes.

Growth is irreversible and measurable; development is the sum of growth and differentiation.
Three growth phases: meristematic (division), elongation (enlargement), maturation (differentiation).
Five major plant hormone groups: auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, ethylene, abscisic acid.
Photoperiodism classifies plants as short-day, long-day, or day-neutral based on critical photoperiod.
Vernalisation prevents winter annuals from flowering prematurely by requiring cold exposure.

Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) on Plant Growth and Development

This section contains six multiple-choice questions testing your recall and understanding of fundamental concepts in Class 11 Biology Chapter 13. MCQs frequently appear in CBSE board exams and form the backbone of objective assessments. Each question has one correct answer; choose carefully, as distractors are designed from common misconceptions. Topics covered include growth phases, hormone functions, photoperiodism, vernalisation, and growth measurements. Attempt all questions, then cross-check with the answer key provided at the end of this worksheet. Remember, NCERT Class 11 Biology definitions and terminology are the gold standard—if a term like 'dedifferentiation' or 'bolting' appears, use the exact NCERT context. These MCQs mirror the difficulty level of CBSE board papers and help you practice quick recall under timed conditions. Allocate approximately 12 minutes for this section. Mark your answers clearly and avoid second-guessing unless you spot an obvious error. Understanding the rationale behind each correct answer will deepen your conceptual clarity and prepare you for both theoretical and application-based questions in the board exam.

Q1. Which phase of growth is characterized by increased vacuolation and cell enlargement?
Q2. The plant hormone responsible for overcoming apical dominance is:
Q3. Short-day plants flower when the day length is:
Q4. Vernalisation is the exposure to low temperature to induce flowering in:
Q5. Which growth measurement parameter is most reliable and not affected by water content?
Q6. The process by which differentiated cells regain the capacity to divide is called:
Q7. Gibberellins promote:
Q8. Ethylene is used commercially to:

Section B: Fill in the Blanks — Testing Terminology and Definitions

Fill-in-the-blank questions assess your precision with terminology from NCERT Class 11 Biology. In CBSE board exams, even a slight variation in wording can cost marks, so practicing exact definitions is crucial. This section includes seven statements with missing key terms related to plant growth phases, hormone names, physiological processes, and growth kinetics. Read each sentence carefully and fill in the blank with the most appropriate term from the chapter. Avoid vague or colloquial expressions; stick to NCERT vocabulary. For instance, when referring to the outermost layer of the root apical meristem, the correct term is 'root cap,' not 'protective layer.' Similarly, the phenomenon where plants respond to the duration of light and dark periods is 'photoperiodism,' not 'light response.' Allocate around 10 minutes for this section. If you are unsure, skip and return after completing other sections. Cross-reference your answers with the answer key, which provides not just the correct term but also context from the chapter to reinforce learning. Mastery of terminology here directly improves performance in short-answer and long-answer questions where precise definitions earn full marks.

Blank 1: Growth is __________ and can be measured by various parameters.
Blank 2: The three phases of growth are __________, elongation, and maturation.
Blank 3: __________ is a gaseous plant hormone involved in fruit ripening.
Blank 4: Plants that require exposure to light for a period exceeding a critical duration are called __________ plants.
Blank 5: __________ is the phenomenon of converting a meristematic cell into a differentiated cell.
Blank 6: The hormone responsible for delaying leaf senescence is __________.
Blank 7: The process of inducing flowering by cold treatment is known as __________.

Section C: Match the Following and Identification Exercises

Matching exercises test your ability to connect related concepts, a skill vital for integrated understanding in Class 11 Biology Chapter 13. This section presents two columns: Column A lists plant hormones, growth terms, or phenomena; Column B lists their corresponding functions, definitions, or examples. Draw lines or write pairs (e.g., A-3, B-1) to match correctly. CBSE examiners favor this format because it evaluates associative memory and conceptual linkage without providing direct hints. For instance, matching 'Auxin' with 'apical dominance' requires you to recall that auxins suppress axillary bud growth. Similarly, pairing 'Gibberellin' with 'bolting' tests your knowledge of stem elongation in rosette plants before flowering. Some items may have similar-sounding functions—distinguish carefully. Allocate about 8 minutes for this section. If you cannot match an item immediately, use elimination: identify the matches you are confident about, then deduce the rest. The answer key at the end includes brief justifications for each pair, helping you understand why certain hormones or phenomena are associated with specific outcomes. Accuracy here indicates strong conceptual integration across topics.

Column A: 1. Auxin, 2. Gibberellin, 3. Cytokinin, 4. Ethylene, 5. Abscisic Acid, 6. Photoperiodism, 7. Vernalisation
Column B: (a) Fruit ripening, (b) Stomatal closure, (c) Cell division in lateral buds, (d) Bolting, (e) Apical dominance, (f) Flowering induced by day length, (g) Flowering induced by cold treatment

Section D: Short Answer Questions (3 Marks Each)

Short-answer questions in CBSE Class 11 Biology typically carry 2 to 3 marks and require concise, point-based responses. This section includes five questions that probe your understanding of growth phases, hormone functions, and environmental influences. Each answer should be structured in 3 to 4 points, using NCERT terminology and examples. Avoid lengthy paragraphs; bullet points or numbered lists are preferred. For a 3-mark question, aim for around 60 to 80 words. Be specific: instead of writing 'Auxins help in growth,' state 'Auxins promote apical dominance by inhibiting lateral bud growth and induce adventitious root formation in stem cuttings.' Reference standard experiments or examples where applicable, such as the role of gibberellins in bolting or the use of ethylene in banana ripening. Allocate approximately 25 minutes for this section. Read each question twice to identify key terms—words like 'differentiate,' 'list,' 'explain,' or 'illustrate' guide the depth and format of your answer. The answer key provides model responses aligned with CBSE marking schemes, showing you how to maximize marks with precise, well-organized content. Practicing these questions strengthens your ability to recall and articulate concepts under exam pressure.

Q1. Differentiate between growth and development in plants.
Q2. Explain the role of cytokinins in plant growth and development.
Q3. What is photoperiodism? Name the different categories of plants based on photoperiodic response.
Q4. Describe the process of differentiation and dedifferentiation with examples.
Q5. List three physiological effects of abscisic acid in plants.

Section E: Long Answer and Higher Order Thinking Questions (5 Marks Each)

Long-answer questions carry 5 marks and demand comprehensive, well-structured responses that demonstrate deep understanding and the ability to synthesize information from multiple subtopics. This section contains three questions covering growth measurement, hormonal regulation, and environmental control of development. Aim for 150 to 200 words per answer, organized into clear subheadings or numbered points. For example, when discussing 'the role of plant hormones in growth and development,' structure your answer by hormone group, listing 2 to 3 key functions for each with relevant examples. Use diagrams where applicable—a labeled graph of a sigmoid growth curve or a schematic of apical dominance can earn additional marks. Reference NCERT experiments, such as the Darwin's phototropism experiment or the discovery of auxin by Went. Allocate about 30 minutes for this section. CBSE values answers that integrate knowledge, so link concepts: explain how auxins and cytokinins interact to regulate apical dominance, or how photoperiodism and vernalisation together control flowering in certain species. The answer key provides detailed model answers with NCERT references, illustrating how to present complex information clearly and concisely. Mastery of long-answer questions significantly boosts overall board exam scores.

Q1. Describe the phases of growth in plants. How is the growth rate measured and expressed?
Q2. Discuss the role of five major groups of plant hormones in regulating growth and development, citing specific examples.
Q3. Explain photoperiodism and vernalisation. How do these environmental factors influence flowering in plants?

Case Study Question: Applying Growth and Development Concepts

Case-study questions are increasingly common in CBSE Class 11 Biology exams, testing your ability to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world or experimental scenarios. Read the passage carefully, extract relevant data, and answer the sub-questions that follow. This case study presents an experimental setup involving plant hormone application and photoperiodic manipulation, mirroring the type of integrative questions that appear in board papers and competitive exams like NEET. The passage describes observations on plant height, flowering time, and leaf senescence under different treatments. Sub-questions may ask you to identify the hormone used, explain the physiological basis of observed effects, or predict outcomes under altered conditions. Allocate around 15 minutes for this section. Underline or highlight key information in the passage—quantities, time frames, plant responses—and refer back as you answer each sub-question. Avoid introducing information not present in the passage; base your reasoning strictly on given data and NCERT principles. The answer key includes detailed explanations linking the case study back to chapter concepts such as auxin's role in apical dominance, gibberellin-induced bolting, cytokinin's anti-senescence effect, and photoperiodic classification of plants. Practicing case studies builds critical thinking and data interpretation skills essential for higher studies in biology.

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Answer Key: Section A — Multiple Choice Questions

Below are the correct answers with brief explanations for all MCQs in Section A. Cross-check your responses and review the rationale for each answer to reinforce understanding. Q1. Answer: Elongation phase. Explanation: During elongation, cells increase in size primarily due to vacuolation and water absorption, leading to visible growth. Q2. Answer: Cytokinin. Explanation: Cytokinins promote lateral bud growth, overcoming apical dominance maintained by auxins. Q3. Answer: Shorter than the critical photoperiod. Explanation: Short-day plants (actually long-night plants) require a night period longer than a critical duration to flower. Q4. Answer: Winter annuals and biennials. Explanation: Vernalisation prevents premature flowering by requiring cold exposure, common in wheat and cabbage. Q5. Answer: Dry weight. Explanation: Dry weight eliminates variability due to water content, providing the most accurate measure of growth. Q6. Answer: Dedifferentiation. Explanation: Dedifferentiation allows mature, differentiated cells to regain meristematic activity, as seen in wound healing and cork cambium formation. Q7. Answer: Bolting and stem elongation. Explanation: Gibberellins induce rapid internode elongation in rosette plants before flowering. Q8. Answer: Ripen fruits uniformly. Explanation: Ethylene accelerates fruit ripening and is used commercially for bananas, tomatoes, and mangoes.

Answer Key: Section B — Fill in the Blanks

Here are the correct terms for each blank in Section B, along with contextual notes to aid retention. Blank 1: irreversible. Explanation: Growth involves permanent increase in size and mass; cells do not revert to smaller size. Blank 2: meristematic phase (or cell division). Explanation: The first phase of growth where active mitosis occurs in meristematic regions. Blank 3: Ethylene. Explanation: Ethylene is the only gaseous plant hormone, promoting fruit ripening, leaf abscission, and senescence. Blank 4: long-day. Explanation: Long-day plants require a light period longer than a critical duration to flower, e.g., spinach, radish. Blank 5: Differentiation. Explanation: Differentiation is the process by which cells acquire specialized structure and function. Blank 6: Cytokinin. Explanation: Cytokinins delay leaf senescence by promoting nutrient mobilization and chlorophyll retention. Blank 7: vernalisation. Explanation: Vernalisation is the cold-induced flowering response, essential for winter cereals and biennials like cabbage and carrot. Review these answers carefully and ensure you can recall the term independently when given a similar sentence stem in future tests or board exams.

Answer Key: Section C, D, E, and Case Study with Detailed Explanations

Section C Matches: 1-e (Auxin promotes apical dominance), 2-d (Gibberellin induces bolting), 3-c (Cytokinin promotes cell division in lateral buds), 4-a (Ethylene causes fruit ripening), 5-b (Abscisic acid closes stomata during stress), 6-f (Photoperiodism is flowering response to day length), 7-g (Vernalisation is cold-induced flowering). Section D Sample Answers: D1. Growth is irreversible increase in mass, volume, or cell number; development includes growth plus differentiation. D2. Cytokinins promote cell division, delay senescence, help nutrient mobilization, overcome apical dominance. D3. Photoperiodism is response to light duration; plants are short-day, long-day, or day-neutral. D4. Differentiation: meristematic cells mature into xylem, phloem; dedifferentiation: parenchyma forms meristematic cork cambium. D5. ABA causes stomatal closure, induces seed dormancy, inhibits growth. Section E Model Answers: E1. Phases: meristematic (division), elongation (enlargement), maturation (differentiation). Growth measured by length, area, volume, fresh/dry weight; expressed as arithmetic or geometric rate, forming sigmoid curve. E2. Auxins: apical dominance, cell elongation, adventitious roots. Gibberellins: bolting, seed germination, parthenocarpy. Cytokinins: cell division, delay senescence. Ethylene: fruit ripening, abscission. ABA: stress response, dormancy. E3. Photoperiodism: flowering response to day length (short-day, long-day, day-neutral). Vernalisation: cold treatment induces flowering in biennials and winter annuals, preventing premature blooming. Case Study Answers: (a) Gibberellin, (b) Bolting, (c) Cytokinin, (d) Long-day plant.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between growth and development in plants?+

Growth refers to an irreversible, permanent increase in size, mass, volume, or cell number, measurable by parameters like length and dry weight. Development is broader, encompassing growth plus differentiation, maturation, and all changes throughout the plant's life cycle from seed to senescence.

Which plant hormone is known as the stress hormone and why?+

Abscisic acid (ABA) is called the stress hormone because it induces stomatal closure during water stress, reducing transpiration. It also promotes seed dormancy and inhibits growth under adverse conditions, helping the plant survive drought, salinity, and cold.

What is photoperiodism and how does it affect flowering?+

Photoperiodism is the physiological response of plants to the relative lengths of day and night. Short-day plants flower when day length is shorter than a critical photoperiod; long-day plants flower when day length exceeds it; day-neutral plants are unaffected by photoperiod.

How does vernalisation differ from photoperiodism?+

Vernalisation is the exposure to prolonged cold temperatures to induce flowering in biennials and winter annuals, ensuring they do not flower prematurely. Photoperiodism is the flowering response to day and night length. Both are environmental cues, but vernalisation involves temperature, photoperiodism involves light duration.

Why is dry weight considered the most accurate measure of plant growth?+

Dry weight excludes water content, which can vary with hydration status and environmental conditions. Since growth involves synthesis of new protoplasm and cell wall material, dry weight directly reflects the accumulation of organic matter, making it the most reliable quantitative measure.

What is dedifferentiation and where does it occur in plants?+

Dedifferentiation is the process by which mature, differentiated cells regain the capacity to divide and become meristematic. It occurs during wound healing, formation of cork cambium from cortical parenchyma, and development of interfascicular cambium during secondary growth in dicot stems.

What role do gibberellins play in plant development?+

Gibberellins induce bolting (rapid stem elongation in rosette plants), promote seed germination by breaking dormancy, enhance fruit growth leading to parthenocarpy, and stimulate enzyme production during germination. They are essential for overcoming genetic dwarfism in certain plants.

How do auxins promote apical dominance?+

Auxins synthesized in the shoot apical meristem move downward and inhibit the growth of lateral (axillary) buds, maintaining apical dominance. Removal of the apical bud or application of cytokinins can overcome this inhibition, promoting branching and bushy growth.

Why is ethylene used commercially in fruit ripening?+

Ethylene is a gaseous hormone that accelerates fruit ripening by promoting softening, color change, and flavor development. Commercially, it is applied to bananas, mangoes, and tomatoes to ensure uniform ripening for market distribution, especially after transport when fruits are picked unripe.

How can I practice Class 11 Biology Chapter 13 effectively for board exams?+

Use NCERT text for terminology, solve chapter-end questions, practice worksheets like this one covering MCQs, short and long answers, and case studies. Focus on understanding hormone functions, growth phases, and environmental phenomena. Platforms like CBSETUTOR.ai provide 24×7 AI-tutor support for instant doubt resolution and unlimited practice at ₹999/month.

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