Monocot vs Dicot Stem Identification — NEET Biology
📚 Practice ConceptCut a transverse section of young stem of a plant from your school garden and observe it under the microscope. How would you ascertain whether it is a monocot stem or a dicot stem? Give reasons.
A student examines a plant organ's transverse section under a microscope and observes the following features: vascular bundles arranged in a ring, a large central pith, and the presence of cambium between xylem and phloem within each bundle. Which of the following statements about this plant organ are NOT correct? S1. This organ is most likely a dicotyledonous stem. S2. It typically possesses a sclerenchymatous hypodermis for mechanical strength. S3. Medullary rays, consisting of radially placed parenchymatous cells, are present between vascular bundles. S4. The endodermis of this organ is often referred to as the starch sheath. S5. Protoxylem in its vascular bundles is endarch.
View solution & NCERT explanation
Correct answer: B — S2 only
The observed features (vascular bundles in a ring, large central pith, and cambium between xylem and phloem) are characteristic of a dicotyledonous stem. Let's evaluate each statement based on this identification: S1. Correct. The combination of vascular bundles arranged in a ring, a large central pith, and open vascular bundles (due to cambium) is a defining characteristic of a dicotyledonous stem. (NCERT Page 76, Para 6.2.3) S2. Not correct. Dicot stems have a hypodermis consisting of a few layers of collenchymatous cells, which provide mechanical strength. A sclerenchymatous hypodermis is characteristic of monocot stems. (NCERT Page 75, Para 6.2.3 for dicot stem and Page 76, Para 6.2.4 for monocot stem) S3. Correct. In dicot stems, medullary rays, which are layers of radially placed parenchymatous cells, are present between the vascular bundles. (NCERT Page 76, Para 6.2.3) S4. Correct. The innermost layer of the cortex in a dicot stem, the endodermis, is rich in starch grains and is also referred to as the starch sheath. (NCERT Page 75, Para 6.2.3) S5. Correct. Each vascular bundle in a dicot stem has endarch protoxylem, meaning the protoxylem is located towards the pith (centre). (NCERT Page 76, Para 6.2.3) Only statement S2 is NOT correct. The final answer is B. Tested concept: Identification of dicot stem based on its unique anatomical features and understanding associated characteristics, including comparison with monocot stem.
What does NCERT say about Cut transverse section young?
Has this concept appeared in NEET?
Which chapter is this from?
Through deep analysis of NEET and NTA, 176 of the 180 ReNEET 2026 (June 21) questions were already in the MedicNEET question bank before the exam.
176/180MedicNEET's Biology question bank is built from the same NCERT lines NTA picks repeatedly. Not random MCQs — questions crafted exactly like NTA crafts them.