Leaf Structure and Development — NEET Biology
📚 Practice ConceptThe leaf is a lateral, generally flattened structure borne on the stem. It develops at the node and bears a bud in its axil. The axillary bud later develops into a branch. Leaves originate from shoot apical meristems and are arranged in an acropetal order. They are the most important vegetative organs for photosynthesis.
Which of the following statements are correct about the structure of a typical leaf? S1: The leaf is a lateral, generally flattened structure, originating from the shoot apical meristem, and it bears a bud in its axil. S2: The leaf base in some leguminous plants may become swollen, a structure termed the pulvinus. S3: Stipules are characteristically found at the base of the petiole in all dicotyledonous plants. S4: The lamina provides rigidity to the leaf through its veins and serves as the primary site for photosynthesis. S5: The arrangement of veins and veinlets forming a network is known as parallel venation, which is typical of monocotyledons.
View solution & NCERT explanation
Correct answer: A — S1, S2 and S4 only
This question evaluates the understanding of the structure and characteristics of a typical leaf. S1: This statement is correct. As per NCERT, 'The leaf is a lateral, generally flattened structure borne on the stem. It develops at the node and bears a bud in its axil. Leaves originate from shoot apical meristems'. S2: This statement is correct. NCERT states, 'In some leguminous plants the leafbase may become swollen, which is called the pulvinus'. S3: This statement is NOT correct. NCERT mentions that the leaf 'may bear two lateral small leaf like structures called stipules,' indicating they are not 'characteristically found in all dicotyledonous plants'. S4: This statement is correct. NCERT describes the lamina as the green expanded part with veins that 'provide rigidity to the leaf blade and act as channels of transport for water, minerals and food materials'. The lamina is indeed the primary site for photosynthesis. S5: This statement is NOT correct. The arrangement of veinlets forming a network is termed 'reticulate venation', which is characteristic of dicotyledonous plants. 'Parallel venation' is when veins run parallel to each other and is characteristic of most monocotyledons, but it does not involve a network formation. Therefore, statements S1, S2, and S4 are correct.
What does NCERT say about leaf lateral generally flattened?
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.