Stomatal Distribution in Leaves — NEET Biology
✅ Asked in NEET 2024Given below are two statements: Statement I: In a dicotyledonous leaf, the adaxial epidermis generally bears more stomata than the abaxial epidermis. Statement II: In a dicotyledonous leaf, the adaxially placed palisade parenchyma is made up of elongated cells, which are arranged vertically and parallel to each other. Choose the correct answer:
Given below are two statements: Statement I: In a dicotyledonous leaf, the adaxial epidermis generally bears more stomata than the abaxial epidermis. Statement II: In a dicotyledonous leaf, the adaxially placed palisade parenchyma is made up of elongated cells, which are arranged vertically and parallel to each other. Choose the correct answer:
Answer & NCERT explanation
Correct answer: B — Statement I is False but Statement II is True
Statement I is false - abaxial (lower) epidermis has more stomata than adaxial (upper) epidermis in dicot leaves for protection from direct sunlight. Statement II is true - adaxial palisade parenchyma has elongated, vertically arranged cells for maximum photosynthesis. NCERT explains leaf anatomy clearly.
Read more NCERT concept on the PYQ
The vertical section of a dorsiventral leaf through the lamina shows three main parts, namely, epidermis, mesophyll and vascular system. The epidermis which covers both the upper surface (adaxial epidermis) and lower surface (abaxial epidermis) of the leaf has a conspicuous cuticle. The abaxial epidermis generally bears more stomata than the adaxial epidermis. The latter may even lack stomata. The tissue between the upper and the lower epidermis is called the mesophyll. Mesophyll, which possesses chloroplasts and carry out photosynthesis, is made up of parenchyma. It has two types of cells – the palisade parenchyma and the spongy parenchyma. The adaxially placed palisade parenchyma is made up of elongated cells, which are arranged
NTA tests whether students know that the abaxial (lower) epidermis has MORE stomata than the adaxial (upper) epidermis in dorsiventral leaves. The common mistake is reversing this or assuming equal distribution on both surfaces. Students often confuse which surface faces up or down, or memorize the term without understanding the logic. Remember: the lower surface (abaxial) receives less direct sunlight and less water loss through evaporation, so plants place more stomata there for efficient gas exchange. The adaxial epidermis may completely lack stomata due to intense sunlight exposure. This is a direct NTA test concept that appears in NEET exams.
What does NCERT say about vertical section dorsiventral leaf?
Has this concept appeared in NEET?
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Through deep analysis of NEET and NTA, 88 of 90 questions from the NEET 2026 paper were matched straight from the MedicNEET Biology question bank.
88/90MedicNEET's Biology question bank is built from the same NCERT lines NTA picks repeatedly. Not random MCQs — questions crafted exactly like NTA crafts them.