Assertion: Water transport across biological membranes is too specific and too rapid to be explained entirely by diffusion through the lipid layer.
Reason: Water molecules are so small that they move relatively freely across the lipid bilayer, even though the middle zone is hydrophobic.

1. Both assertion and reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
2. Both assertion and reason are true but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
3. Assertion is true but reason is false.
4. Both assertion and reason are false.

1. If both the assertion and the reason are true and the reason is a correct explanation of the assertion
2. If both the assertion and reason are true but the reason is not a correct explanation of the assertion
3. If the assertion is true but the reason is false
4. If both the assertion and reason are false

Assertion: Nutrients pass easily through the sieve tube members of Phloem.
Reason: Though alive, sieve tube members lack such organelles as the nucleus, ribosomes and a distinct vacuole.

1. Both assertion and reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
2. Both assertion and reason are true but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
3. Assertion is true but reason is false.
4. Both assertion and reason are false.

Assertion: Given equal cross sectional areas of xylem, a plant with larger-diameter vessels can move more water up its stems than a plant with narrower tracheids.
Reason: The volume of liquid moving in a column per second is inversely proportional to ${\mathrm{r}}^4$ where r is the radius of the column, at constant pressure.

1. Both assertion and reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
2. Both assertion and reason are true but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
3. Assertion is true but reason is false.
4. Both assertion and reason are false.

Assertion: Blue light as a signal induces stomatal closure.
Reason: Blue light inhibits proton $\left[{\mathrm{H}}^{+}\right]$ transport.

1. Both assertion and reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
2. Both assertion and reason are true but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
3. Assertion is true but reason is false.
4. Both assertion and reason are false.

Assertion: Removing sinks is a useful horticulture practice such as in production of larger sized apples.
Reason: If sinks are more than the source can support, plants may undergo self-thinning.

1. Both assertion and reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
2. Both assertion and reason are true but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
3. Assertion is true but reason is false.
4. Both assertion and reason are false.

The molar concentration of a sugar solution in an open beaker has been determined to be 0.3M. The solution is kept at 27 degree Celsius. The solute potential will be about:
1. - 3.75
2. - 7.48
3. - 9.18
4. 0

Identify the incorrect statement regarding plasmolysis in plant cells:
1. If a plant cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, the plant cell loses water and hence turgor pressure by plasmolysis.
2. If cytorrhysis occurs the plant will wilt.
3. Plasmolysis can be reversed if the cell is placed in a hypotonic solution in many cases.
4. Convex plasmolysis is always reversible.

Arrange the following events in the correct chronological order during opening of the stomata:
I. An uptake of potassium ions occurs into the guard cells.
II. A proton pump drives protons (H⁺) from the guard cells.
III. Diffusion of water occurs into the guard cell through osmosis.
IV. The two guard cells lengthen by bowing apart from one another.
V. Negative ions flux into the guard cells to balance the influx of potassium.
1. I, III, II, IV, V
2. I, II, V, III, IV
3. II, I, V, III, IV
4. II, V, I, III, IV

With respect to the mass flow translocation of phloem sap, the following events are given in the correct chronological sequence. Identify the statements that do not carry any mistake regarding the principles of the process:
I. In the storage sinks sucrose is removed into apoplast prior to entering the symplast of the sink.
II. Water moves out of the sieve tube cells by osmosis.
III. The phloem sugar is removed by the cortex of both stem and root, and is consumed by cellular respiration or else converted into starch.
IV. Finally relatively pure water is left in the phloem and this is thought to leave by osmosis or be drawn back into nearby xylem vessels by suction of the transpiration pull.
1. I, II and III only
2. I, II and IV only
3. II, III and IV only
4. I, II, III and IV

Plants came on land before animals. All the following were evolutionary adaptations for terrestrial life except:
1. guard cells
2. ${\mathrm{C}}_3$ photosynthesis
3. rhizoids
4. vascular bundles